By Claire Sachse

 

Landrum City Council met July 29 and 31 in a budget workshop to review a proposed budget for a nine-month fiscal year running October 2014 to June 2015. Council also reviewed proposed ordinance 2014-01 that would change the budget and accounting year for the city from the current October 1 to September 30 fiscal year, to a fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30.

Once the nine-month transition period is complete in June 2015, the city would once again adopt a 12-month budget, on the new fiscal year cycle.

Both the proposed budget and ordinance will have public readings at the council’s Aug. 12 and Sep. 9 council meetings.

The nine-month budget calls for $1,460,460.95 in revenues and $1,396,816.00 in expenses, with no tax increases.

“It was a hard year to figure,” said Caitlin Martin Cothran, city administrator, of the nine-month budget. The surplus revenue of $63,644.95 is a “conservative cushion” she added.

Changing Landrum’s fiscal year has been discussed for years, according to Mayor Robert Briggs. Most municipalities and local government entities in the state, as well as the state of South Carolina, use the July 1 to June 30 fiscal year.

“Auditors have asked council to consider making this change in the past. It is a much needed and long anticipated change,” said Briggs.