The Glasgow City Council met in regular session Monday night at city hall. First reading of the 2021-22 budget was passed by the council. Total expenses for the coming year are budgeted at $23,434,000. Revenue of $22, 378,000 is projected. That combined with the carryover of nearly $21,600,000 leaves an excess fund balance at the end of 2022 of just over $20,600,000 dollars. City Treasurer Stephanie Garrett answered several of the council’s questions about the differences in this budget. She said the big increases came in the form of raises for employees; retirements which went up 12%. She said retirement went from 39.38% up to 44 .33% for hazardous duty classified employees. For everyone else retirement costs went from 24.06% up to 26.95%. Garrett also added that a new revenue booster this year will be seen a little later as receipts from the increase in the occupational tax rate and the net profits tax rate as voted in earlier by the council start to be paid.
Wes Simpson, chairman of the Downtown Park Steering Committee addressed the council with a plan to start moving again on that project. He said where the committee “pushed pause” over a year ago, they agree now is the time to get started using a much smaller amount of money, perhaps as little as $2,000 to begin with a design and build approach to the downtown park on West Main.
Simpson explained the committee has chosen the Design and Build approach to getting started saving the costs of bringing in an architect. He has specs ready to send asking for such bids and has a goal of having those bids in by August 4th. Simpson added that none of the $800,000 dollars that has been pledged to the project has been withdrawn, which the committee feels is a sure sign its time to move.
The first reading of a rezoning ordinance on Prestwick Drive and Hume Way was passed unanimously. The change is from I-1 light industrial to I-2, heavy industrial. This is a 3.247 acre tract owned by Billy and Emily Carver of Glasgow, in the industrial park located near Nemak and Federal Mogul, adjacent to the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway.
Also last night an ordinance was passed that amends the annual budget to appropriate funds and to receive grants to be used at the city landfill. And, Terrell Alexander was appointed to the Fort Williams Restoration Committee, fulfilling the remaining term of Jimmy Nelson.