The 2016-17 budget approved on first reading in a 4-1 vote by Williamston Town Council Monday is a balanced budget with no tax increase. Total Revenues and Expenditures are budgeted at $2,947,373, up $117,000 from $2,830,373 last year.
The budget as approved on first reading reflects the following:
Revenues: Property taxes $959,000, up from $875,000 from last year; Property Taxes Delinquent $35,000 up from $25,000; Vehicle taxes $100,000; Hospitality tax $185,000, down from $190,000; Payment in Lieu of taxes $6500, down from $7,600; Homestead Exemptions $91,000;
Merchants Inventory tax $7204; Manufacturing Exemption $35,000; SC Local Government Fund $75,000; Business License $55,000, up $5,000; MASC Insurance Premium fees $250,000, up from $230,000; Charter Franchise fee $48,000; Duke Energy Franchise fee $250,000, up from $230,000; Fort Hill Franchise fee $60,000, up from $50,000; MASC Telecommunications (not budgeted?) $20,000 last year;Water & Sewer Operations $344,000; Police Fines $30,000, down from $45,000; Resource Officer $166,369; Medshore Rental income $12,000 (new item – not budgeted last year); Little League fees $15,000; Park fees $7,000; Room Rental $6,000, up $1000; School Security $7,000, up from $5,000; Dumpster metal (not budgeted) $4,000 last year; Garbage Fee $190,000; Garbage Penalty $3500; Interest Income $1,000; Sale of Assets $2,000; Sign permits fees $300 (new item); Misc. revenues $5000; Debt set off $1500.
Total Revenues of $2,947,373.
General Fund Expenditures
Liability Insurance $80,500, down from $90,500; Workers Comp. $54,500, up $1500; Membership Dues $5000; Audit fees $25,800; Consultant Fees Admn Overview $30,000; town Attorney $20,400; Labor Attorney $7000, down from $10,000; Bank Charges $6000, up from $3000; Professional fees $20,000. Total Admin. $249,200.
Administration
Admin Salaries $254,010, up from $242,919 (mayor and council salary increase 2017); Overtime $300; Bonus $1,600; FICA/Medicare $19,577 up from $18,717; Retirement $27,919, up from $26,302; Health Insurance $85,240, up from $73,303; Repairs &Maintenance contracts $35,000, up from $15,000; R&M vehicles $1500; R&M Municipal Bldg. and Grounds $15,000; Admin Expense & Supplies $30,000, up from $25,000; Uniforms $2000; employee Morale $6000;Training $5000; Community Support $8000; Electricity and gas $29,000, up from $25,000; Phone $10,000, down from $22,000; Postage $15,000; Transportation/mileage $2000, down from $3000;Water $2500; Fuel $2500, down from $3500; Capital Expenditures $2000, down from $10,000.
Total Admin. Expense $557,147, up from $523,991.
Main Street Program
Salaries $35,000; Bonus $500; Fica/Medicare $3,060; Retirement $4,364; Health Insurance $6,678; supplies $20,398.
Total $70,000, up from $67,240.
Street Department
Salaries $173,451, up from $143,437; Overtime $2400; bonus $1275; Fica/Medicare $13,269; Retirement $18,923; Health Insurance $41,466, up from $33,562; Repairs & Maintenance $20,000, up from $15,000; R&M Vehicles $20,000; Supplies $10,000; Uniforms $4500; Electricity/Gas $75,000, up from $71,000; Phone $2000, up from $1700; Water $500; Fuel $24,000, down from $25,000. Total Street Dept. Expenses $406,784, up from $355,128.
Judge/Court
Judge/Clerk Salary $8293
Police Department
Salaries $553,386, down from $578,145; Overtime $7000, up from $5,000; Bonus $1925; Fica/Medicare $42,315, down from $44,682; Retirement $73,789, down from $75,988; Health Insurance $124,809, up from $115,809; Repairs & Maintenace $5500; R&M Vehicles$15,000; up from $12,000;R&M Facilities $2000; Supplies $13,571; training $3000, up from $1500; Uniforms $7000; Phone $6000; Water $2500; fuel $45,000; Capial Outlay $35,000. Total Police Expenses $949,769, down from $961,124.
SRO Palmetto High, Palmetto Middle, Career and Technology Center $166,369.
Parks and Recreation
Salaries $96,220 up from $71,260; Overtime $500; Bonus $350; FICA/Medicare $7425, up from $5480; Retirement $10,590, up from $7701; Health Insurance $23,212, up from $7739; Repairs and Maintenance $15,000, up from $9000; supplies $7900; Uniforms $1560, up from $1040; Electricity/Gas $25,000; Phone $1200; Water $6000; Fuel $5000; Christmas Park $1000, (not budgeted last year); Little League $15,000; Cemetery Care $4000, up from $3500.
Total P&R $219,958.
Fire Department
Mileage Reimbursement $32,054; Unemployment $1000; R&M $9000; R&M Vehicles $9000; Vehicle $500 (tires); Supplies $12,500; Uniforms $12,500; Electricity/Gas $5000; Phone $1350; Water $900; Propane Generator $1000; Physicals $6000; emergency Reporting $1300; fuel $3500; AC Training Facility Dues $650; Capital Expenditures $26,000; Rescue Equipment $2000; SC Fire Academy Training $1000, up from $500; Morale/Welfare $5000; State Grant expenditure $4500.
Total Fire Department Expenses $138,824.
Hospitality Tax
Revenue – $185,000.
Expenses – Park Upkeep $10,000; Christmas Parade $800; Cemetery candle light $650; Boo in th Park and Historic Commission $2550; Spring Water Festival $10,000; 4th of July $9000; GWBA Easter Hunt $500; Pig in the Park $5000;Security and Cleanup for Events $15,000; Cemetery Committee $2500; Veterans Davy $1000; memorial DAy $1000; Farmfest Festival $1525; Homestead Festival $2625; ARC grant match $66,000; Party in the Park $6500; Capital Improvements $40,350.
Total budget $185,000
Total 2016-17 Budget Expenditures $2,947,373, up from $2,830,373 last year.
