JOHN COFFELTEditor

Members of the Finance Committee during a special call meeting on July 26 said they want to have the 2024-25 budget passed before the new aldermen are sworn in later this month.

The three aldermen who will be elected on August 1 are set to be sworn in at 4:30 p.m., August 19.

This budget was to go in effect July 1 but was delayed until last year’s audit is complete and is nearing a deadline to have it to the state comptroller, otherwise the city could face repercussions.

The budget must pass two readings, ten days apart, making the second reading a tight squeeze if it is to be passed by this board.

“I’m a little weary of the second reading of the budget for the next year being with a new class of people,” Alderman Joey Hobbs said. “What happens if it doesn’t pass then, and we start all over back to a first reading?”

Vice Mayor Mark Messick said it’s not fair to ask the new aldermen to vote on a budget that they had not seen until that meeting.

“The timing on this is very important to me,” Messick said. “A vote is going to depend on the timing.”

Manchester Finance Director Anthony Burrows said that if the city does not have the budget submitted by August 31, the city could face issues with grants, loans and financing.

“If you go past the nineteenth, then it’s on to the new folks,” Hobbs said. “And if any of them don’t like something they haven’t seen, then we will be in a situation where we won’t have something passed in August.”

The Finance Committee will discuss the 2024-25 Budget at a Special Call meetings on July 31 and August 2, followed by a first reading by BOMA on the budget at a special call meeting to follow at 5 p.m. on August 2.

The August 1 Election has eight candidates running for three seats. Of those running, two, Alderman Ryan French and Julie Anderson are currently on the board composed of six members.

No new taxes; raises likely

As of Friday’s meeting, the Finance Committee does not anticipate any increase in the property tax rate from the current 1.52% rate.

Manchester Finance Director Anthony Burrows did, however, increase estimated property tax revenue in the current budget draft by 5% to account for additional development in the city.

“We’re still working (the revenue estimates),” Burrows said.”I tried to adjust accordingly if the prior forecast was accurate.”

Local sales tax estimates in future drafts will be increased by 10%.

The final budget with all department requests included sets the budget at just over $20 million. Employee raises, if added, would increase the budget an additional $1-1.5 million.

“I’m OK with that (number), “Messick said. “I know it’s hard for people to believe who know me, but we’ve done without for so long.”

A 7.5% employee raise was suggested at the meeting.

Hobbs said even with the budget as is, the city would likely end with $4 million in reserves. He also noted that budgets are figured with conservative revenue estimates and generous expenses. Budget even those forecasted to dip into the fund balance, often end with additions to reserves.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.