During the workshop before council’s regular meeting Monday, Mayor Butch Berry said a few red numbers were creeping into the budget. Finance Director Lonnie Clark said seasonal activity makes some figures look bad because March figures in the budget council was seeing represented January, and he expected things would improve once the busy tourist season begins.
Berry said Public Works bought chemicals in bulk for the water treatment plant, which eventually will prove less expensive, but in the meantime there is the large expense showing on the books. He added the city would purchase a large generator to run the plant during times of peak electrical use. This strategy is employed by the Carroll-Boone water treatment plant during hot summer days to save money.
Berry mentioned two expenses the city will be facing would be repair of a sewer backup at the fire department, which flooded the basement, although insurance reimbursement will help. The other is the failing wall along Ellis Grade. Berry said a council in the past voted to pay half of the cost of repairing it.
“It appears we’ll be stuck with it,” Berry said.
Aldermen were in disbelief they were saddled with this expense, and Berry said he would provide paperwork he has related to it.