(June 8, 2017) The Pocomoke City Council held a first reading and public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, which despite the relatively large attendance, failed to receive a single audience comment.
City Manager/City Attorney Ernie Crofoot said the draft version of the budget, now in its fifth incarnation, factors in several proposals from a budget work session on May 12.
“It was a tough process, but the budget as you have it now contains those compromises and changes that have been discussed in the past several weeks,” he said.
During the May 12 meeting, based on a suggestion from Councilman Dale Trotter, it was decided to budget the Winter Quarters Golf Course for only the first half of fiscal year 2018 to ascertain if renewed marketing efforts are positively impacting the course.
While the course is expected to lose as much as $180,000 this year, Crofoot estimated only budgeting the course for the first half of fiscal-year 2018 should limit the financial loss to about $77,000. He also noted that after six months the council would have to amend the budget if they wanted to keep the course operational.
Another proposal from the May 12 budget work session would increase the charge for bi-weekly trash service from $10 to $15, which should net the town an additional $80,000.
As currently proposed the budget reflects general fund revenues of $4.8 million and general fund expenses of $4.5 million, leaving a surplus of more than $257,000, which when offset with negative fund balances for the golf course, as well as water and sewer, leaves the budget balanced.
“I would urge you folks to introduce the budget ordinance and consider it for second reading passage on the 19th,” he said.
The council will hold a second reading with potential passage of the budget at its next meeting on June 19 at 6:30 p.m.
City Manager/City Attorney Ernie Crofoot said the draft version of the budget, now in its fifth incarnation, factors in several proposals from a budget work session on May 12.
“It was a tough process, but the budget as you have it now contains those compromises and changes that have been discussed in the past several weeks,” he said.
During the May 12 meeting, based on a suggestion from Councilman Dale Trotter, it was decided to budget the Winter Quarters Golf Course for only the first half of fiscal year 2018 to ascertain if renewed marketing efforts are positively impacting the course.
While the course is expected to lose as much as $180,000 this year, Crofoot estimated only budgeting the course for the first half of fiscal-year 2018 should limit the financial loss to about $77,000. He also noted that after six months the council would have to amend the budget if they wanted to keep the course operational.
Another proposal from the May 12 budget work session would increase the charge for bi-weekly trash service from $10 to $15, which should net the town an additional $80,000.
As currently proposed the budget reflects general fund revenues of $4.8 million and general fund expenses of $4.5 million, leaving a surplus of more than $257,000, which when offset with negative fund balances for the golf course, as well as water and sewer, leaves the budget balanced.
“I would urge you folks to introduce the budget ordinance and consider it for second reading passage on the 19th,” he said.
The council will hold a second reading with potential passage of the budget at its next meeting on June 19 at 6:30 p.m.