In a special session with Knox City Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston on Tuesday evening, the Council walked through the completed budget that will soon be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. Presented was a budget that totals $3,112,071.
“At our next meeting, on the 23rd of August, we’re going to have our Public Hearing at 7:00 when we have our Council meeting,” said Houston when explaining the next step in the budget process. “The budget is also advertised and we’ll have our third reading of the salary ordinance.”
Councilman Ron Parker asked Houston how the two percent salary raise will impact the budget that the Clerk-Treasurer called “tight” at the last meeting.
“The two percent increase amounts to a little over $11,000,” Houston replied. “That’s the impact it will have on the General Fund. The MVH two percent raise is $2,700 and with Parks and Rec, it’s about $900.”
Houston said that he instructed the department heads to keep their budgets at a 1% increase.
One department that saw deep cuts was the police department. Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem cut a new squad car and firearms from his budget.
After the budget is presented to the public, it will be sent to the State for approval. Houston said it’s promised back at least by February 15th. Last year, the budget was sent back early in December.
