The City of Elizabethton gearing up 2016-17 fiscal year.
Officials will meet in their first meeting for the new fiscal year this evening at 6 p.m. after passing their budget during a special-called session June 30.
Mayor Curt Alexander, Mayor ProTem Bill Carter and councilmen Bob Cable, Sam Shipley and Jeff Treadway were in attendance for the meeting. Councilmen Wes Frazier and Richard Tester were absent. The proposed total revenues for this year are $18,541,952, lower than the $19,312,779 from 2016 but an additional influx of funds through sales tax $10,205,609 to $10,813,099 – the city was able to fund a one percent raise across the board for employees, along with a $500 one-time bonus for full time employees and $250 for part time. .While the bonuses were carried over from the 2015-16 budget, the sales tax revenue allowed the city to assist employees, Alexander said during the previous meeting.. “That’s something we needed to do, take care of our employees,” he said. “It’s been tough the past couple of years but with the sales taxes revenue, we were able to do that this year.”
While a lengthy agenda, officials are looking at a relatively cut-and-dry session this evening.
In old business, the council will look to approve the second, and final, reading of the city’s amendment to the 2015-16 budget recognize the $111,700 provided by the Elizabethton-Carter County Foundation to help purchase the Bonnie Kate Theatre.
Other items that highlight the current agenda include:
* The consideration of a motion to approve a standard time for every special-called and workshops by the council.
* Consideration of a motion to approve street closure requests by the Douglas Community, Douglas Alumni, and the Blue Grays Foundation. The closures are specified for three different events, on July 16, 17, and 23.
* Consideration of a resolution to approve a federal grant opportunity with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to purchase communications equipment for the Elizabethton Police Department.
* Consider a resolution to adopt a City of Elizabethton compliance manual regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Once the Council concludes, the city’s beverage board will convene. Citizens are encouraged to take part in open meetings hosted by the city.