By John Howell
Como town officials and citizens during a budget hearing Tuesday, Sept. 6 heard a revenue projection of $1,245,161 against anticipated expenses of $1,213,303.19 for fiscal 2017 that starts October 1.
The expense projection includes raises of $1 an hour for all town employees including police officers with the exception of Police Chief Earl Burdette who had asked during an August 20 budget work session to be excluded.
Como financial consultant Lygunnah Bean had presented initial budget figures at the August 20 meeting and returned Sept. 6 with changes requested by town officials, including the raises. With the 2017 budget, Mayor Everette Hill’s salary will increase from $750 to $800 monthly; aldermen salaries will increase from $250 to $260 monthly.
Other features in the 2017 budget include $50,000 for purchase of a tractor and mower and $6,500 allocated as payment to the City of Sardis that will retire an old debt Como owes for emergency dispatching.
Retirement of the debt owed to Sardis is the most recent old debt to have been retired.
Debts to Panola County for garbage service and for housing jail inmates have been retired in recent years. Last year, an IRS debt was retired with proceeds from the sale of the city’s gas system.
“I want you to know that I’m very appreciative,” Alderwoman Ruby Higgenbottom said, prompting a round of applause from the audience.
“I’d like to propose now that next year some copies be out here for the audience to look at. It’s a little difficult to watch a whole statement of expenses and stuff and hear what someone said; it would certainly be helpful if we could look at something,” Abner Young said after learning that there were not enough copies to pass to people who attended the hearing.