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NC finance committee discusses budget

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. — The finance committee met last week to discuss the city’s budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The committee is still working on the final draft of the budget and Sara Hawkins, city clerk, asked the committee to let her know if they have any requests for the budget. Hawkins composed the draft by reviewing past years budgets. She also reported they are waiting for information from the county before she can finalize some of the numbers.

The committee will review the final draft during its March meeting and will then submit the budget to the state for review. They will then finalize the budget during a meeting on April 21 to comply with state law.

Will White, council and committee member, asked Hawkins to talk to council and the street committee members Don Blankenship and Larry Binkoski for input on the amount to set aside for paving and storm sewer maintenance. Hawkins will also be talking to Pat Jones, chief water operator, about the amount they should allot for fire hydrants. The committee discussed eliminating the fire hydrant fund, because they did not spend the allotted $5,000 for fire hydrants this past year, but they want Jones’ feedback before making any decisions.

The committee requested a $5,000 beautification fund, they will discuss ways to spend the money at a later date.

They also talked about allotting the money for a second full-time police officer. They are aware the police department has a two year turn over rate. They hope a second officer would ensure the city always has one full-time officer, but the committee was not sure if that was the best way to budget the city’s excess funds. Hawkins explained they aren’t required to hire a second officer just because they budgeted for one, and they can always adjust future budgets if they determine two officers is more than the city can afford.

Hawkins will continue gathering feedback while finalizing the budget.

In other action, the committee:

— Recommended spending up to $35,000 of the general fund to purchase a new Dodge Durango for the police department. The committee’s recommendation will be brought to the council to vote on.

— White read financial highlights from the packet Hawkins prepared for the committee. White rounded to the nearest thousand, and reported the year to date revenue as $370,000, expenses of $325,000 and $278,000 in the general fund.

— Hawkins announced they have not been scheduled by the state for an audit, but they are still on the list.

— The insurance claim for the Morris Street Station has closed and the city is finishing up the repairs on the station.

— Hawkins informed the committee about the water rate increase council passed on first reading.

— Hawkins announced there are three properties the city could buy because the owners have not paid their taxes. Council will discuss the properties at a later date, but they need to make a decision before March 31.

jriedel@reviewonline.com

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