The Knox City Council learned that the budget order came back from the State and the Council will need to cut $71,932 from the 2011 budget. During the Council meeting Tuesday night, Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston, recommended that the Council cut the purchase of a new backhoe that was put in the budget for 2011. That budgeted item was approximately $72,000 and the Council unanimously approved Houston’s recommendation. Houston added that the budget is at the “bare bones” and spending will be tight in 2011. Election costs had to be added to the 2011 budget as well.
The 2011 budget included a three percent pay raise for employees and for elected officials for the City of Knox. The Council approved a salary ordinance, in three readings, with the three percent increase Tuesday night. Mayor Rick Chambers asked that the Council approve an amendment to the ordinance that his salary stay the same for 2011 as it is in 2010 and opted not to take a three percent increase. The Council approved that amendment.
