Salem city council discusses budget, water issues

The City of Salem’s budget was a main topic during the council’s meeting Monday, Aug. 9. Clerk-Treasurer Pat Persinger gave the financial report and focused on budgeting for the upcoming year.

Persinger said the city is faced with having $300,000 less in operating funds in the upcoming year and is building a budget with that in mind.

“The city must monitor expenses closely in order to be fiscally responsible,” said Bower.

He said a good example of this can be seen by looking at city fuel consumption.  Fuel is one of the largest expenses. By securing the gas pumps and establishing a process that involves employees being required to sign for a key in order to gain access to city’s fuel, the amount of fuel being used has been drastically cut.

Although the city is looking at a leaner budget, Bower reported that city employees can expect to receive a 25 cent an hour increase on their hourly wage in 2011. Following that decision, Bower and the city council unanimously voted against giving elected officials a wage increase in 2011. 

In the water department, Russell Brown reported employees have successfully fixed several major water leaks in the past few weeks. Two major leaks, located along Jackson Street, have been leaking large amounts of treated water for years and the water department has been unsuccessful in locating the source. With the help of outside experts and new technologies the leaks have been pinpointed and fixed.

Persinger noted during her report that money from the Rainy Day Fund will be used for additional improvements within the water department.

Washington County Economic Growth Partnership Director Lana Sullivan gave a project report on activities with the partnership.  She reported the WCEGP has been working with individuals interested in starting up a transportation company within the county. She has also been working on a grant to help fund improvements around the square.

Sullivan told the council there is a business interested moving into the former Child Craft office building on East Market and there is also the possibility of a fitness center opening in Salem in the near future.

The council’s next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

-M. Spaulding