South Fulton’s finalized budget ‘tight’

The City of South Fulton has now finalized a working budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 following action taken during the Oct. 17 regular session of the City Commission.

City Manager Johnny Bacon conducted the second and final reading of the budget, following the first reading during special called session Oct. 7.

Mayor David Lamb, Commissioners Tommy Pruitt and Terry Taylor voted in favor of the budget, which reflects General Fund total cash receipts projected at $1,177,713; total appropriations at $1,175,853; beginning balance, $1,143,088 and ending cash balance, $1,144,948.

For the Supplemental Fire Fund, total cash receipts were at $48,000; and total appropriations, $38,000. For the Drug Control Fund, total cash receipts were at $3,005 and total appropriations, $2,100; Ambulance Fund, total cash receipts, $240,000 and total appropriations, $178,000; State Street Aid, total cash receipts, $90,658 and total appropriations, $45,000; Solid Waste Fund, total cash receipts, $180,400 and total appropriations, $151,500; Gas Fund, total cash receipts, $979,098 and total appropriations $864,042; Water Fund, total revenues were at $737,275, total appropriations, $684,298; and Sewer Fund, revenues $1,441,256 and appropriations, $3,042,782.

Mayor Lamb verified with Bacon that the 2019-2020 budget would be “tight”. However, when asked by Commissioner Terry Taylor, Bacon said he believed a contribution to the Fulton County Senior Citizens Center, requested by the organization’s Director, would be able to be made.

In the Communications from the Mayor, Mayor Lamb reported he still planned to facilitate distributing Christmas baskets to the needy and would get in touch with the Twin City Men’s Organization following their fundraising auction as to needs. He also shared he would like to explore the possibility of re-establishing the Barbecue on Broadway competition once held by the City of South Fulton, and later through the South Fulton Events Corporation, which is no longer active.

Mayor Lamb reminded the commission and the public the City of South Fulton/Parks and Recreation Board’s Trunk or Treat is scheduled for Oct. 26, and the South Fulton Police Department has scheduled a Drug Take Back event earlier in the day Oct. 26, both events to be held in Unity Park.

City Manager Johnny Bacon encouraged the public to support the T.C.M.O. fundraising auction scheduled for Nov. 20-22, and shared a wooden American Flag donated by Cody Caksackkar, which will be one of the items up for auction.

Caksackkar, who currently serves on the city’s Municipal Regional Planning Commission, was also approved by the commission to serve on the Parks and Recreation Board, through a recommendation from that board.

While it was listed on the night’s agenda, Mark Butler with TUA was not present to discuss an issue with the city’s water and wastewater systems. Bacon said he had understood Butler would be present to discuss information relating to a correspondance Bacon had received from him. As a result of Butler’s absence, the commission voted to table the matter until such time as Butler could be present.

City Recorder Jackie Potter, City Attorney Kirk Moore, Commissioners Beatrice Wilcox and Billy Williams were absent from the meeting.