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LaFayette’s and Rossville’s budget year began Oct. 1. Visit bit.ly/2jbW4u6 for previous coverage.
The new year is not expected to be one of big budget increases for Chickamauga, Ringgold or Fort Oglethorpe.
The three cities, whose fiscal year runs from January to December, have all approved budgets for 2017 with minimal changes from the previous year.
For the city of Chickamauga, total expenditures for 2017 will be less than in 2016, with $1,470,647 versus last year’s budgeted $1,496,252 and actual amended budget of $1,480,217.
The reason, City Manager Michael Haney said, is simple: No large-scale projects utilizing city funds are anticipated. Though dam work is anticipated in 2017, the project is expected to cost roughly $25,000, a far cry from the big budget projects of last year.
Last year, city building repairs and upkeep needs meant more in spending, as did the unexpected opportunity to purchase the Hutcheson Family Practice Center for a little more than $355,000, Haney said.
“That’s why you see such a difference from last year and this year’s budget,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest things but it was purchased so we could reopen it to provide a medical center for this community.”
And, since the building can generate $60,000 per year for the city and reaches more than 800 residents a month, the purchase was a responsible one, he said.
“It was a good opportunity for our city,” said Haney.
Fort Oglethorpe Financial Director Pam Travillian said budget increases there can largely be attributed to annual 3 percent employee increases and rising health care costs.
At $15,001,181 in expected expenditures versus last year’s $14,240,324, the other main contributing factor is rising sewer costs, since the service is contracted out and provided by the city of Chattanooga, she said.
“Really, our [fiscal year] 17 budget is just for the increases we’re going to have,” she said. “There’s nothing new.”
Ringgold Mayor Nick Millwood said due to anticipated additional revenue, his city’s budget will increase from last year’s $6,522,000 to $7,405,000. Any major projects which come up throughout the year will look to the city’s general fund, budgeted at $3,024,000 for the new fiscal year.
“We fanned out the extra revenue we anticipate throughout our departments,” Millwood said, adding that the police department and courts will be able to hire one additional administrative employee each with the increased revenue. “… Big projects are usually taken on outside of our budgeting process through partnering with outside organizations and/or through our general fund balance.”