The Hopkinsville City Council Committee of the Whole forwarded on Mayor Wendell Lynch’s $40.5 million budget for the next fiscal year with only one small amendment Thursday night.
The amendment, which like the budget was approved unanimously, gives Community Development Services another $31,000 that was requested.
Chief Financial Officer Robert Martin says there’s no projected property tax increase and while he believes payroll tax revenues will meet or exceed pre-pandemic numbers, he was still conservative in his estimates.
Each department head talked about their requests and Police Chief Clayton Sumner says while he thinks his department will be ok on fuel even if prices do rise more because he is understaffed and has fewer vehicles on the street, he may need additional funds for gasoline if the cost goes up significantly.
He says the price of ammunition has doubled the last couple years and that’s another area that’s costing the department more funds.
Fire Chief Steve Futrell says his utility and building maintenance costs are up, but payroll is down due to the split of fire and EMS.
Hopkinsville City Council will now hear first reading of the operation and capital budgets at its June 1 meeting.