Public hearing to be held Sept. 11
Full-time Landrum city employees could see salary increases if the city’s 2012-2013 budget is approved.
“As you are aware, for the past two years city employees have not received a salary increase but did receive a 3 percent cost of living adjustment for FY 2011. Because our revenues continue to improve, I have incorporated raises for full-time city employees in this budget,” Landrum City Administrator Steve Wolochowicz said in a memo to council members.
Wolochowicz said he estimates the raises to cost the city $23,000. Mayor and council salaries will actually decrease this year from $15,500 in the current budget to $14,000 in 2012-2013.
Landrum’s budget, if approved, would amount to $1,576,539, which includes an increase from $502,910 to $550,000 in current tax revenues. City officials also anticipate an increase in hospitality tax revenue this year; that revenue is budgeted to come in around $150,300, up from $145,000 this budget year.
Mayor Robert Briggs said he was pleased to see the amount of revenue anticipated  for next fiscal year.
“Where our big concern was over the last couple years was the tax we receive from Spartanburg County and it looks like they are doing much better than we anticipated,” Briggs said.
He did say, though, that the city administrator works conservatively in estimating those expected revenues.
“That’s the way we’ve always budgeted – a little more restrictive on our revenues and a little more on our expenditures. In case something comes up and things get tight there will be room to cut,” Briggs said.
The city’s millage rate for property taxes will not change, remaining at 73.9.
Landrum does not plan to hire additional personnel, but the budget does include funds for the purchase of a new police car as it does most years, Wolochowicz said.
Costs for the city’s garbage removal contract did go up $21,800 from last year.
The city renegotiated its garbage contract with GDS last year, which caused rates to go up across the board for residential and commercial customers. Recycling costs also increased. The rates will not increase again from what they did this past year and Wolochowicz said he does not expect them to go up for the next five years of the contract.
Councilman Jon Matheis said he was pleased with the budget.
“I think it’s commendable, Steve, really,” said Matheis. “It’s being held almost to what it was last year, except for a few things we already knew were going to go up anyway. I think that should be noted.”
Matheis made a motion to accept first reading of the 2012-2013 budget, and the council voted to approve it.