Budget Approval – Round Two

Called Council Meeting Would Correct Unlawful Budget Approval

    Mayor Shelton has called a special meeting of Central’s City Council for next Wednesday to correct the unlawful approval of the budget at last week’s Council Meeting.  The administration had failed to timely advertise the budget vote, and failed to state in the public notice when and where a copy of the budget could be viewed.  State law mandates both of these procedures in order to allow public participation in the expenditure of tax dollars.
    The Mayor’s proposed $5.7 million 2016-17 general fund budget contains an 11% ($571,000) increase over the current year’s actual general fund expenditures.  The budget increases are driven in large part by increased funding for the Central’s Police Department, and by Economic Development expenditures intended to grow the city.
    An overview of the General Fund budget expenditures can be seen above.  The entire budget can be seen at www.CentralGov.com.  The special called Council Meeting will be held next Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the Central Hearing Office at 13421 Hooper Road, Suite D.  On Saturday morning the correct public notice was published to allow for the vote just in time for the beginning of the new budget year next Friday.