Council approves amended budget

PRESCOTT – Approving the amended budget for Prescott took a while at the December meeting of the Prescott City Council Monday night.

This was mostly because of unrelated discussion concerning interlocal agreements and what committees do and don’t exist within the city’s framework.

Talk began with questions being raised about why the parks department budget wasn’t included. City Accountant Carl Dalrymple said the city’s budget has nothing to do with this department, as it’s given a set amount annually (approved by the council) and uses the funds as needed. This, he added, is shown in the monthly financial statement.

Councilman Bobbi Brown asked about the wage increase over the year, which amounted to $116,000. She was told there was more overtime.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said city crews worked more overtime last spring because of the storms, and with things breaking down, more overtime was required. The Prescott Police Department was also shorthanded, which increased the workload on the officers available.

Dalrymple added the requirement went up because of state regulations, but this should be more in line with the 2019 budget next month,

Oliver said it will be a big plus when the city is through with the lawyers in the electricity case. A special meeting will be called next month for the entire council to discuss the proposed budget, prior to the council’s regular meeting.

From there Councilman Howard Austin launched into the need to review all of the interlocal agreements the city is involved with and update them, seeing what needs to be done with each one. He also asked to have the amount of bonuses to city employees made available.

It was pointed out the Nevada County Library needs a new air conditioning unit. Dalrymple said the county’s library tax brings in around $23,000 annually and the city budgets $55,000 a year for the library. Under the current interlocal agreement, the city would be responsible for picking up the difference in the cost of the A/C unit. Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said she’s talked with the county judge and the county is willing to help.

Austin turned to the solid waste management board, saying it’s supposed to meet quarterly. Dalrymple said this was done when John Henry was the county judge and included one member of the council along with the mayor, two justices of the peace and the county judge. The city pays 54 percent of solid waste fees with the county picking up 46 percent, based on population, with the funds to be used to operate the Nevada County Landfill.

Austin asked for a printout of city committees and their members. Oliver said the only standing committees are the budget and electric review committee. Councilman Susie Meeks said she was on the police committee, but it was pointed out there is no police committee, that she’s simply been working with the PPD as an envoy for the council

Dalrymple told the panel this will be the last amendment to the 2018 budget unless the council thinks another one is needed. It was finally approved.

Oliver said there is a vacancy on the park commission. Robert Smallwood’s five-year term is ending and he’s asked to stay on, while the rest of the commission would like for him to remain as well. The council voted 6-1 in favor of Smallwood, with Meeks casting the lone nay vote.

Councilman Tommy Poole, in his last meeting with the council, said it was only fitting he ask the situation with the electric rates. Larry Jones, Jr., said the attorneys are filing a 206 and working on filing a federal suit on the contract. He added SWEPCO could come back with an officer once it sees the city is serious about filing suit.