The Minden City Council passed a more than $31 million budget Tuesday for the next fiscal year.
Mayor Tommy Davis says this budget includes a two percent longevity raise across the board for each department, including public works, the fire department and the police department.
“Keep in mind that a lot of that (total budget) is our electrical sales, so that includes the electricity that we buy,” he said.
“Financially, our revenues are easy to figure out, because they’ve been steady for the last several years. It’s expenses that are hard. We’re doing our very best to not draw money out of reserves, although this year’s budget does draw some money out of reserves.”
The goal, he says, is not to draw any money from reserves. With ever increasing expenses, Davis hopes expenses for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, will be correct.
“If we’ve done that, then our budget should be good,” he added.
In other news, the council agreed to purchase 2.78 acres of land around the Minden Airport on Methodist Camp Road.
“We join on two sides, and it just makes sense,” he said. “For long-term use, I think it will help us with our airport. It’s got road frontage and it gives us better access to the airport, and it backs up to where we join already. It just gives us more acreage out there, and if we ever hope to expand our airport over what our current plans are, this would be good for us to have.”
The property is being purchased for $36,000, Davis said.
The council also approved a permit application for the Krewe of Akewa to sell beer during this year’s Fasching Festival at The Courtyard on Pearl Street. Davis says the permit is much like the one approved in 2014.
The council also approved:
– Condemned properties,
– The annexation of property belonging to James R. Tolbert and Melissa H. Tolbert in the vicinity of Fernwood Lane in District E to be zoned R-1 residential.
– The final plat for the preliminary plans for a re-subdivision of property owned by Michael Carr on Hwy. 80,
– Amendments to the 2014-15 budget,
– Engagement of auditor – Jamison, Wise and Martin for a fee, including expenses, not to exceed $57,000.
– Surplus property on West Street and Pershing/East Streets, and
– The Minden Police report.
The next meeting of the Minden City Council will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5.