In a little over two hours tonight (5.22.18), the BOC (Board of Commissioners) approved the first reading of the annual budget and tax rate for Fiscal Year 2018-19 which begins July 1.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/772
Link to budget: https://lakelandtn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7149
Link to City video of meeting: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8217742
The Mayor and three Commissioners (Commissioner Clark Plunk was not at the meeting) reviewed budget items line-by-line and questioned many entries.
City Engineer Emily Harrell presented her departments’ requests, taking about an hour of the evening’s discussion.
Engineering:
- Adding a staff engineer
- Capital Projects – Beverle Rivera funding will be removed, Huff N Puff carrying over $5,000 for delayed TDOT invoicing, New Canada Road $700,000 (Right of Way (4 tracts) and Utility Coordination), Canada Road Bike Ped $1,700,000 All capital projects are 80% federal funds offset in Revenue.
Public Works
- Reduced the Architectural/Engineering/Landscaping by $55,000 bringing mowing Parks and Right-of-Way in-house.
- Street Drainage Projects reduced to be funded solely from Stormwater Fund.
Street Aid
- Increased Asphalt and Gravel/Sand due to increased use of Hot Box for street repairs.
- Repair and Maintenance Streets remained same: Plantation Hills Paving $750,000, Crack Sealing $25,000, Contracted Patching $65,000, Guardrail $20,000, Striping $40,000
- New Capital Light Equipment – two mowers, roadside grader attachment.
Sewer
- Other Improvements – reduced from $250,000 to $150,000. Includes new pump station at Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Press
- Interceptor – $200,000 Includes remaining design and permitting.
Cory Brady, city planning director, was next and spent less than 10 minutes reviewing his proposals which include increases in publicity/subscriptions/dues and architecture/engineering/landscaping, based on recent tree activity in the City.
Josh Thompson in GIS was next, noting his budget is pretty lean.
Jessica Millspaugh, City finance director, reviewed the general government category noting general legal services are increased but there is nothing in the bond fees category. She said the legal expense was increasing for ongoing usage. The Mayor suggested taking a look at the legal bills. Other questions centered on dues and subscriptions, ambulance service, bank fees and telephone expense.
City Court (the City is starting a Municipal Court this year and has hired its first judge), Board and Commissioners and financial administration were next, along with the debt service fund.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman asked if economic development could be discussed at the next meeting because the volunteer Economic Development Commission is meeting this week to discuss several items. Review of Parks and Recreation was also put on hold until June because the Parks and Rec director is out of town.
The final reading on the budget is to be June 14.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
