CLEVELAND, Tenn. — County government department heads are being urged to hold on to as much money in their current budgets as they can.
The Bradley County Commission Finance Committee earlier this week approved a memo to all department heads, advising them that, even if they have money in their budget, with a little more than a month left in the current fiscal year, they should spend only what is necessary.
Many department heads have been doing just that in past years, the memo acknowledges.
“These funds have allowed us to maintain a needed operating fund balance,” the states.
“As you are aware the U.S. economy has been in a recession since December 2007 and even though Bradley County has not been hit as hard as some counties or states, we have definitely felt the effects,” the memo says. “Our revenues have slowed down as our citizens have tried to adjust to their own economic downturns.”
WHAT’S NEXT* June 7: County mayor presents the budget proposal to the County Commission.* June 10: County Commission Finance Committee reviews the mayor’s budget proposal.* June 14: Copies of budget amendments are given to the full commission.* June 21: County Commission hears any budget appeals.* July 6: Commission votes on the budget and sets the tax rate.
The department heads are asked to curtail all spending unless it is absolutely necessary for the rest of the budget year, which ends June 30.
“Anyone who attended the budget hearings heard the outlook, which is not very good,” said Commissioner Ed Elkins, chairman of the Finance Committee.
Cleveland and Bradley County voters approved a local sales tax increase last summer. City officials said Monday that extra funding will allow paving and other capital improvements in an otherwise tight budget year.
County school officials said Monday that the sales tax revenue, about $800,000, meant avoiding layoffs that some school districts are facing.
The Cleveland City Council approved a budget with no property tax increase Monday.
Bradley County has several steps to go toward a finished budget for 2010-2011.
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