Palmetto City Council July 24 adopted the 2007-2008 General Fund budget, set at $7,455,825. The new budget includes the provision for several new police officers, a move which numerous residents have requested on an ongoing basis for the past six months.
Revenues for the $7.456 million budget represent a $798,205 decrease, approximately 10.5 percent, from the $8.253 million budget of 2006-2007. Revenues for the Enterprise Fund budget are expected to decrease by $684,730, from the current $14.227 million to $13.543 for 2007-2008.
On the expenditure side, the General Fund is proposed to see a $548,763 increase, for a total of $5.420 million compared to $4.872 million in 2006-2007. The Contingency Fund budget decreased from $205,610 to $157,613, a $47,997 difference. The 2006-2007 Enterprise Fund, at $14.227 million, decreased in 2007-2008 to $13.542 million, a difference of $1,085,496.
Citizens have insisted for months that additional officers were needed to patrol city streets. Some of those cries were met when the council approved the hire four new officers. Other personnel changes included funding for a full-time assistant city administrator and a recreation position, which was also included in last year’s budget but was never utilized. Also approved was the purchase of new trucks for the electric and water and sewer departments.