Published: December 01, 2008 08:49 pm            

Chatsworth: Funding expected up for some departments even as budget to decrease

CHATSWORTH — The police, fire and street departments would see funding increases under the proposed 2009 budget of $5.014 million outlined by the Chatsworth City Council Monday night. The proposed budget is almost $91,000 less than the 2008 budget.

The council will meet on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. in City Hall to approve the budget.

The police department’s budget would increase by $24,000 to $1.318 million and include several purchases, including a new cruiser. The fire department would see a $76,000 increase to $806,274 due to capital needs and additional fire code inspection requirements, officials said. The street department would see a $10,000 increase to $1.379 million given utility, materials and maintenance costs.

Reductions in maintenance and operations will come primarily in administration, said Mayor Tyson Haynes, with $239,034 for capital projects on hold for next year. Health and sanitation will also see a $3,000 drop.

“We’ve been conservative on our estimates,” said Haynes, mentioning the current economy. “We’re looking at maintaining services on our current revenue base but there will be no cost-of-living increases for employees. But there are no increases in health care costs, so we’re thankful for that.”

Council member and finance chairman Gary Brock said there will be “no tax increases” in the new year.

“We haven’t had any in the eight years I’ve been on the council,” he said, adding that there will also be a freeze on hiring unless a policeman or fireman has to be replaced.

The council:

� Approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance based on a recommendation from the North Georgia Regional Development Center, which discovered “technical omissions” in the city’s policy.

� Amended the employee pay scale by adding “longevity steps” designed to entice senior and long-term employees to remain with the city.

� Added two job descriptions, city marshal and zoning administrator, for current employees Mitchell Smith and Dolley Flood to free up police officers from having to enforce sign ordinances, litter and trash violations and other minor offenses, and the posting of zoning and annexation ordinances.

� Modified the city’s agreement with wrecker services, stipulating that a company must be in business six months before becoming part of the weekly rotations of companies doing city business, and that no company can charge more than 25 percent of the going rate for wrecker service.

� Agreed to accept a donation of a small parcel of land from Cohutta Banking Co. for a proposed park with an agreement that the city will have three years to develop it. The parcel is adjacent to the bank on its southwest corner at Fourth Avenue and Elm Street.

        

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