CLARKSVILLE – Members of the Clarksville City Council gathered around a table in City Hall on Wednesday for another round of budget talks as they work toward creating a workable budget for the city’s next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Wednesday’s talks revolved around American Rescue Act funds and how much to budget for items the funds would cover.
“We are already getting reimbursed,” City Manager Deana Smith said, letting the council know that the city has so far received $106,000 in federal funds from the recovery act.
Mayor Ann Rushing then went over some bill the city had paid that the reimbursement would help cover noting that all the expenses were related to water and sewer fixes.
Councilwoman Crissy Witmer reminded all that at least $300,000 of the funds from the amount from the act that is a little over $700,000, which is already in a city account, must be set aside for another bar screen.
The members also discussed the new software that was purchased earlier this year.
The new software will help city staffers better track accounts and, in turn, give the council a better idea at meetings just where the city stands on its debits and credits, City Secretary Marisa Webster said.
She said the goal is to have the system up and running by the end of September.
“I think we have the right people in the right places,” Councilman “Babe” Higgins said. “I can see some light whereas in the past two or three years, I couldn’t.”
Councilman Gary Gray agreed that the budget process was going better than in the past few years because he felt the council members were at a better starting point this budget season.
“We have had a rough time over the past two years,” he said.
https://theparisnews.com/news/clarksville-city-council-staffers-work-to-create-budget-for-new-fiscal-year-at-workshop/article_3ceaec94-379e-11ee-bf14-538c0fb26ae5.html Clarksville City Council, staffers work to create budget for new fiscal year at workshop | News
