Second reading held June 25 

 

LANDRUM—On Tuesday June 25, the City of Landrum held a special Council meeting to have the second reading of the proposed budget for the upcoming 2019/2020 fiscal year. The City Council read the budget for the first time during the regularly scheduled June meeting that took place on June 11.  

During the first work session and reading of the proposed budget the City Council made the decision to hold the special session in order to finalize the budget after its second reading and be voted on.  

The proposed budget was accepted by the City Council and will take affect on July 1, 2019 and run until June 30, 2020. The proposed budget included the expected revenue from the General Fund for the upcoming fiscal year, $1,708,820. That revenue is up $38,514 from the previous years budget, that is an annual change of 2.3 percent.  

Some of the most significant increases in the expenditures of the General Fund include, an increase in Police salaries (previously $456,000 up to $484,000), Police Department employer retirement (previously $75,300 up to $87,000), and Capital Projects Expense (previously $24,350 up to $48,000). In addition to several large increases in General Fund expenditures, there have also been several significant decreases in allotted expenses. The Police Department O&M auto expense was reduced from $59,300 to $35,000, Capital Purchase/Lease-Police Car funds dropped from $28,200 the previous year to $8,900 for the upcoming fiscal year. The remaining balance from the 2018/2019 fiscal year was $51,983 while the expected remainder of the 2019/2020 budget will be $2,393.  

Hospitality tax revenue is expected to increase from $286,700 to $287,175 in the 2019/2020 fiscal year. The City of Landrum received a $25,000 MASC Hometown Economic Grant the previous year, but anticipates it will recover that money through the combination of several new activities and grants.  

The Hospitality Fund expenditures includes $30,000 in the development of a new farmer’s market for the city, as well as $75,000 for Museum Abatement and planning fees for the Landrum Rail and History Museum.  

A full comprehensive breakdown of the 2019/2020 budget for the City of Landrum can be found at the www.cityoflandrumsc.com, or by visiting town hall.  

By Samuel Robinson 

Sam.robinson@tryondailybulletin.com