Council holds budget work session--final approval on agenda Monday at noon.

The Crossville city council spent an hour Friday June 24 reviewing the 2016-17 fiscal year budget in preparation of approving the final reading Monday June 27 at noon.

The budget stands at $1.2 million in the red with final adjustments made by finance director Fred Houston.  Those adjustments include projects carrying over from one year to the next. Link to PDF file of the full 2016-17 budget document.

The budget includes funds for the city to join the county's radio system and a new detective position for the police department.  Councilman Jesse Kerley questioned the need for the new detective position at a cost of $50,000 to $70,000 a year.  He felt the funds would be better used for new sidewalks.

Police chief Rod Shoap told the council he offered the additional positions as one of several options to improve service to city residents.  Shoap said that the council makes the decision and with out the new position his department would do at least as well as last year and possibly better.

"It's my job to give you the best information and you make the best decision," Shoap told the council.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry, right, makes a point on the discussion of the 2016-17 budget while council members Pamala Harris, second from right and Pete Souza third from right listen. 

The city's water and sewer budget includes a 2 percent increase in water rates and 5 percent increase in sewer rates.  Those increases have been directed by the state comptroller's office after reviewing the budget numbers for the department. 

Council discussed the changes in funding from the E-911 and additional money is budgeted for the operation as the E-911 board has lost some funding and will not be paying one third of the operational costs as in previous years.  The state law only requires that the E-911 use its funds to maintain the equipment.

At the very end of the meeting, councilman Pete Souza suggested that the council be polled to determine if any changes should be made to the budget that had been discussed of the budget as presented put on the agenda for third and final reading at the special called meeting on Monday June 27 at noon.  

Mayor James Mayberry said he wanted the budget as presented and Mr. Souza agreed.  Council member Pamala Harris said she felt the detective could be left in the budget but wait a few months before the position is filled until things can be ironed out.