By By Brian Giles Publisher
The City of Atmore approved its budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year at Monday's City Council meeting. The budget allotted for a 3 percent raise for all city employees beginning Oct 1. The budget calls for a projected revenue of $5,138,100. The bulk of that revenue will be collected through general sales tax, estimated at $2.25 million, and the city ad valorem tax, estimated at $750,000.
The budget expenditures for the following year included few changes from last years' budget. The approved budget allowed for the following amounts to each department and its percentage of the overall budget.
General Government: $757,850 (15 percent)
Municipal Court: $162,570 (3 percent)
Building and Inspection: $54,400 (1 percent)
Police Department: $1,058,650 (21 percent)
Drug Task Force: $186,030 (4 percent)
Fire Department: $539,050 (10 percent)
Street &Sanitation: $861,500 (17 percent)
Park and Recreation: $103,400 (2 percent)
Library: $184,450 (4 percent)
Subsidies &Appropriations: $1,088,420 (21 percent)
Animal Control: $56,180 (1 percent)
Landfill: $85,600 (2 percent)
In other business:
The council authorized a resolution to name Mayor Shell as a voting delegate to the National League of Cities. The NLC is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance.
The council approved a request by Dennis Bilbo to hold an annual SAV-A-LIFE Life Chain, a pro-life demonstration at 2-3 p.m. on Oct. 5. The participants will meet in front of First National Bank on Main Street.
The council approved a request by Mediacom to offer new services to Atmore customers. Mediacom will be launching high definition television on Nov. 1.
The council approved Resolution 2003-19. The
resolution authorizes the mayor to sign grant documents, giving the mayor the authority to act as agent of the city. The city is applying for a new grant that will help with flood control across the entire city.
Shell asked that everyone make plans to attend the 9/11 Memorial Service at 6 p.m. Thursday at the community center at 510 S. Pensacola St. The program will be one hour long and include patriotic music and local ministers.