By Billy Davis

City of Batesville leaders, after meeting Tuesday morning, are closer to finalizing a 2010-2011 budget.

And it’s a tight one. The proposed budget shows the city just $1,500 in “ending cash,” CPA Bill Crawford told Mayor Autrey and the Board of Aldermen.

Nervous laughter was heard around the table when Crawford announced the slim budget surplus.  

He went on to explain that reaching the narrow figure would mean exhausting department budgets, which city leaders agreed would not happen. Government budgets often include a cushion for expenditures.

“Just because you have to budget it doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” one aldermen remarked.

The Panolian has reported that City of Batesville department heads have whittled down their budgets in past weeks, providing $1.4 million in cuts, according to City Clerk Laura Herron.

Aldermen and Mayor Autrey expect to “wrap it up” Wednesday, Autrey told The Panolian. That meeting is planned for 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Look in the Friday edition of The Panolian for more information about the city’s budget plans.