Council gives first reading to budget
By Melissa Rollins, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Society Hill Town Council passed first reading of their 2017-2018 budget, Tuesday, May 9 at their monthly meeting. Overall, the budget is smaller than the one for the current fiscal year.
The total budget is expected to be just over $300,000, nearly $60,000 less than the previous year.
Several line items show a substantial loss in revenue, including fines and bond, the local government fund and the accommodations tax.
Other areas in the town’s meager budget saw an increase in costs, most noticeably the police department. Salaries have increased by $11,000 but the biggest jump was in health insurance. In the 2016-2017 budget, just $700 was allocated for health insurance; in the 2017-2018 budget, that cost is $24,000.
Mayor Tommy Bradshaw addressed the rising costs, saying that council has worked to create a budget that does the most with what is available.
“We understand that we have to do all of these things the best we can, given our budget,” Bradshaw said. “All you have to do is cut on the t.v. every night and you’ll see that health insurance is high. Retirement is high. All of those things are affecting every budget on every level, as well as us.”
Bradshaw said that during a work session, council discussed the things that they would like to see the town focus on.
“We had a budget workshop last Thursday and during our workshop, I heard well from council that one of their main concerns was keeping the town safe,” Bradshaw said. “Everywhere I go and everybody I talk to keep alluding to the fact that we have a quiet, safe little town. We want to keep it that way; that is our number one priority. Our next priority would be maintaining our assets.”
Even with the increase, the anticipated police budget is still down from the current fiscal year because there are no expected costs associated with the purchase of vehicles.
“We paid for that police car in cash and avoided any finance charges,” Bradshaw said, in reference to a comment from councilwoman Deborah Harrell. “It is paid for.”
The first reading passed with affirmative votes from Deborah Harrell, Carolyn Oliver, Mayor Bradshaw and Denise Douglas. Councilmember Michelle Steen was absent. Before the second and final reading of the budget, council will hold a public hearing for the community to ask any questions.
In other business, Pete Robyn spoke to council about his efforts to teach young students history in an engaging way. Robyn said that he uses music, flashcards and posters that he designed to teach students in a way that is exciting and will help them to learn and remember important parts of the history of the United States. Robyn said that he has presented in Society Hill before and would love to come back again for another presentation.