By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
Under a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, Brewton city employees would get a 2.5 percent raise — but there is no date attached to that raise yet.
Mayor Ted Jennings presented a budget to the city council that projects modest gains in revenue. The council will have the opportunity to act on the budget at the next meeting in early September.
Jennings said he expects the city to finish the current fiscal year in the black.
The general fund budget includes a conservative increase in expected revenue — up $137,801 — and a 2.5 percent pay raise for city employees.
The budget also includes an estimated 10 percent increase in Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums.
Most of the increases budgeted for city departments are in salaries and benefits, accommodating the raise for employees.
Jennings said the city is also expecting a $10.5 million decrease in natural gas revenue, which will be offset by a decrease in expenditure to buy that gas.
The budget includes a $1.78 million reserve fund  for special projects and grant activities, including a pedestrian path at Burnt Corn Creek Park, leading to O’Bannon Park.
That project will be let for bid in the next two weeks, Jennings said.