City Council adopts $2.4 million budget

Board modifies appropriations for passage; workers get pay raise increase

After several attempts to approve a budget for fiscal year 2011-’12, Troy City Council voted unanimously Sept. 21 to adopt the $2.45 million appropriation.

With previous budget stalemates, Mayor Don Banning said the budget would be approved, regardless.

Resolution No. 648 allocating annual appropriations, which was presented Sept. 8, was modified to include:

• A 1½ percent pay increase for hourly employees, unless a different wage increase is determined when the union contract is adopted;

• No wages shall be paid for an animal-control officer;

• No wages shall be paid for an employee to perform the duties of the utility clerk position. The utility clerk is now acting as the deputy clerk and the former deputy clerk is now responsible for the duties for the city clerk/treasurer position;

• $5,000 will be added to the account of the Troy City Attorney for the purpose of paying for mediation expenses, in the event the union contract requires.

A portion of the budget includes $523,545 for the General Fund. The General Fund includes salaries for city employees, repairs and maintenance.

Health Insurance for city employees totaled $36,000 and $35,000 was allotted for road and street maintenance.

Total funds appropriated for the city are $2.451 million. In a roll-call vote, the budget was approved with a 3-0 vote. Councilman Phil Fisher was not present.

The Northern Lights Contract was approved. The contract was up for review during the Sept. 8 meeting. However, council members did not review the contract, and it was decided by the mayor to move forward with a roll-call vote. Council member, John Clogston was the only one to vote against the contract, it was approved 2-1.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Union No. 768 contract has continued to complicate the Council’s formal approval of Resolution Nos. 648 and 649, wage and the annual appropriations. Passage is stalled because an agreement has not been made with the IBEW.

Consequently, the council suggested tabling the item yet again. Councilman Gary Rose also requested more information before the vote.

However, Banning said he is opposed to putting the item aside.

“We will not table the item. I will negotiate with the union in this matter,” Banning said.

In New Business, the Council approved a business license for Bait & Cast Custom Rods for owner Dennis Morgan. The company will be located at 403 north 3rd St.

A business license also was approved for business owner Bryan Denton. Mountain Metal Works, a welding and fabrication shop, will be located at 101 Iron Creek Road.

During the meeting members were asked to vote by saying “yes” and “no” because of difficulties in the past for determining a legitimate vote.

“It (meetings) has been such a mess,” Banning said. “If I say ‘raise your right hand’ they raise a left hand or a left foot. This way we will have a better record for the vote.”

A work meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, and a City Council meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 19.