Central’s Annual Budget Tops $6.3 Million for 2012

CENTRAL — The Central City Council last Tuesday night unanimously approved a $6.3 million city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011.

In an address to the Council, Mayor Mac Watts said sales tax revenues have gone down because of the economic slowdown, but that the city would still be running a surplus of $1.2 million.

The mayor said the new City Services contractor, IBTS, will be paid a little over $3 million in the coming year. That should result in savings of over $500,000.

Watts said he intends to retain Steve Vassallo for economic development and the Moore Planning Group for planning. The budget includes an 11 percent increase for the small Central Police Department and $100,000 to be paid to the Sheriff’s Office for patrols by off-duty deputies, he said.

The mayor reported that the 1/2-cent pothole tax is producing about $900,000 a year and more than that is being put back into road repairs.

Watts said Central is benefiting from franchise fees paid by DEMCO, Entergy, Cox Cable, and AT&T.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington asked for an explanation of funds which CH2MHILL said they were setting aside for the city.

“They said they were putting aside five percent of all permit fees to be paid to the city,” he said. The corporation promised to pay the funds to the city after it took over the issuance of permits from its subcontractor, Safebuilt.

After a discussion, the Council decided to pursue the five percent. This could amount to $10,000 or more.

The budget was approved 5-0.

In other action, the Council voted to approve the Advocate as the official journal of the city. The only other applicant was the Zachary Plainsman.

The Council also discussed a resolution by Washington, which would have established a procedure for dealing with certain public records requests. However, the measure was deferred.

The Council approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) called Twin Lakes Estates just north of Denham Road. Jim Clark is the developer.

On the issue of economic development, Mayor Watts said the city is pursuing a number of possible businesses to locate in Central, including a college, a department store, a seafood company, and several restaurants.