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Fund Balance Budget Revision, Cemetery Budget Pass Unanimously; Several Upcoming Events Discussed by Bridgeport City Council

By Julie Perine on May 30, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to approve the 2018-19 Cemetery Fund Budget and a General Fund Budget Revision for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
 
The latter, in the amount of $1.4 million, appropriates fund balances from the last fiscal year. Offsetting revenues - including the largest line item of $880,000 in unanticipated B&O tax collections – are some expenditures previously flagged non-priority items, as well as some new requests for funding, said Finance Director Monica Musgrave.
 
More than $133,000 in police department equipment funded through the budget revision include guns, weapon lights, holsters, simmunition for training, forensic hardware and software, cruiser and motorcycle equipment, among other items. Fire department expenditures totaling $150,500 include computers, imaging cameras, auto extraction tools, stair chairs and portable radios. Other city departments were accommodated through the budget revision and dollars were placed in escrow for items including a new police motorcycle. There are also various fund transfers; the largest more than $381,000 escrowed for the establishment of a public safety complex.
 
In the amount of $414,663, the Cemetery Fund Budget encompasses salaries, wages and benefits, utilities, maintenance and repair, among other expenses.
 
Council also unanimously passed, on second reading, an ordinance establishing the grade/step salary schedule for city employees. As established in the city’s $5.9 million budget for fiscal year 2018-19, approved last month, was an across-the-board 5.1 percent pay raise for city employees; a 4.1 percent increase in addition to the typical one percent “step” implemented annually.  
 
Mayor Andy Lang said prior to the meeting that he is happy about the salary increase and believes in treating quality employees fairly and giving them incentive to keep their talents and dedication at the City of Bridgeport.
 
In his report, Lang talked about the many events that took place over Memorial Day weekend – from the second annual holiday observance at Bridgeport Cemetery and the opening of the city pool to Bridgeport High School graduation and related activities, family picnics and baseball games.
 
“I’ve always felt fortunate to live in Bridgeport. I’ve lived here all my life and have never known anything else, but I think the real winners are folks who moved here and continue to live here by choice,” Lang said. “They do know something different, but they want to live here.”
 
Lang, City Manager Kim Haws and members of Council mentioned several upcoming events:
 
  • Saturday, June 2 is the Summer Kickoff sponsored by the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport
  • Thursday, June 7 is Family Fun Day at Bridgeport City Park
  • Saturday, June 9 is the 8th Annual Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars Memorial 5K
  • Friday, June 29 is the groundbreaking ceremony for the new indoor sports and recreation complex
It was also noted during the meeting that the BHS girls and boys track teams captured state championships and that Haws and Bridgeport’s Woody Thrasher were both honored at the recent Harrison County Chamber of Commerce awards dinner. Haws received the executive award and Thrasher was selected as business person of the year.
 
“On behalf of Council and our mayor, I want to publicly acknowledge Kim for his outstanding work and recognition by the Chamber,” said Councilman Bob Greer. “It is clear he has volunteered a lot of his time, efforts and energy to the Chamber over the years and that was part of the reason for the recognition.”
 
Tuesday evening’s meeting opened with an invocation by the Rev. George Bramble of Bridgeport United Methodist Church.
 
Council held a short work session prior to the 7 p.m. meeting, during which time Musgrave went over the proposed budget revision. It was noted that the next regularly-scheduled Council meeting will be held June 11 and special meetings to discuss the indoor sports and recreation complex will be held June 4 and June 26. Excavation bids for the complex are due by June 5 and Council will vote to award that contract at the June 11 meeting.



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