The Webster Progress-Times

The Eupora Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted the budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year at a special called meeting last week.

The new budget approved Sept. 18 projects total expenditures in general funds of $1.27 million and includes an increase in the property tax levy from 23.5 to 24 mills. The 2 percent increase in property tax revenue is the second tax increase by the city since 1996.

The increase in tax millage will bring in about $8,000, which the city has dedicated to placing in a special road repair and paving fund.

Dan Burchfield (Ward 2) made the motion to adopt the budget as presented and Robert Calvin Mays (Ward 1) seconded. The motion was approved 4-0; Henry Flowers (Ward 4) was unable to attend.

Following a recommendation from Mayor Tommy Lott to adopt the 2009 tax millage resolution, Burchfield then made a motion to do so. Ricky Newton (Ward 3) seconded the motion, which was also approved 4-0.

No citizens were present at the Sept. 11 public hearing on the tax rate and budget. Jack Haney (at large) and Mays were the only board members present. The new budget year begins Wednesday.

The budget includes a pay increase of 15 cents an hour across the board for all full-time employees - who did not receive a raise last year. However, work hours for employees in two departments are being reduced during the winter months in order to cut expenses.

Lott said he and the board, during budget work meetings, decided to cut back the hours of five or six water and street department employees until about mid-February. Those workers will be cut back to 32 hours a week but will not lose any benefits and will still be considered full-time employees, said Lott. They will also be subject to being called back in at any time.

"We are trying to cut back," he said. "Everything is tight."