Usually a process that begins in the spring, Roanoke Rapids city officials have already begun looking at its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The early process has been spurred by concerns of a lean, if not critical, 2011-2012 fiscal year as the city depleted its theater reserve fund this fiscal year.
Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt told council tonight officials have already met with representatives of the North Carolina Rural Center about the possibility of securing grant funding for some $1.7 million of capital equipment that can't be funded in the upcoming fiscal year. The center has also pledged its help to assist the city in finding other sources.
In doing the early analysis, Wyatt said the city hopes to see what level of services it can fund in the next fiscal year. The city's employee numbers are currently at 133 and Wyatt said it is possible there could be cuts during this fiscal year. “We're trying to be as resourceful as we can. We're trying to be sure we don't overlook anything.”
The interim city manager said one thing the city needs to look at is fee structures. That's what some municipalities in similar circumstances have done to keep services at consistent levels.
Following the meeting Wyatt said while the picture may seem bleak, “There is a distinct possibility it may not be as onerous as it may seem. It is going to be an austere budget.”
In other matters tonight council:
Approved a resolution declaring unused property at the theater as surplus so they may be sold through sealed bids.
Approved the purchase of a new trash truck by taking advantage of a piggyback statute that allows the city to buy equipment at the same price established by another municipality. In this case the city was able to buy the truck from Carolina Environmental Systems of Kernersville for $158,010. Branch Banking and Trust gave the city a 1.79 interest rate which will allow it make five annual payments of $33,896.
Approved a resolution that expands the scope of the Henry Street revitalization project in the 1000 block. The city received an additional $250,000 grant to expand the project. No one spoke at a public hearing on the matter.
