If budgeting is a balancing act, then Signal Mountain is walking a tightrope.
While “most departments are under budget right now” at the midpoint of the fiscal year, the state may tip the town’s overall scales.
“Even though right now the city is fine, we possibly could not get as much revenue as we predicted,” reported Town Manager Honna Rogers.
Rogers said the town faces up to a $69,410 revenue loss if 2010 Census numbers are in line with the dwindling population numbers others have predicted. The state estimates the town’s population at 7,725. Towns receive roughly $110 per person from the state’s tax share. Estimations from the Census website in 2009 had the town at 7,094 residents.
“If we lose $70,000 there’s going to have to be some kinds of changes in services or some sources of revenue,” Rogers said. “I can’t see us losing $70,000 and keep doing things the same.”