Public hearing on Whigham’s budget is on July 14

The Whigham Mayor and Council will host a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2020-2021 operating budget on Tuesday night, July 14 beginning at 7 p.m.

The public hearing will be held in the council chamber.

Up for discussion is the $1,517,703.64 spending plan, which is balanced by budgeted revenue of an equal amount.

According to Whigham City Clerk Lisa Calhoun, the proposed budget includes a three percent cost of living pay raise for city employees as well as a one percent anniversary raise.

The budget as presented does not call for a tax increase or utility rate hike to balance the budget.

The City of Whigham is budgeting anticipated revenue of $1,020,812.00 from the sale of electricity and expenditures for the electronic fund of $724,320.76. The city is budgeting $118,346.00 in revenue from the sale of water versus expenses of $100,208.59.

Lastly, the city is budgeting revenue of $64,672.00 from the city’s sanitation fund and anticipated expenses of $56,680.00.

General fund revenues are budgeted at $313,873.64, with nearly half of that, $126,655.64 coming from “prior years resources.”

The Whigham City Council is also budgeting $40,000 for fines through the city’s court; $40,000 in Local Option Sales Tax Revenue; $36,500 in ad valorem taxes, $34,000 in insurance premium tax; $14,000 in motor vehicle taxes; $11,000 in alcoholic beverage excise tax; in addition to other miscellaneous fees and taxes.

General fund expenditures are budgeted at $636,494.29 with most of that being spent to fund operations of the city’s police department, $290,565.14.

The next largest expenditure from the general fund is general government at $239,146.15 followed by $65,160.00 for streets, $31,623.00 for fire, and $10,000 for parks and recreation.

For those interested, a copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at Whigham City Hall.