HARTSVILLE — Rising fuel costs already are having an an impact on the city of Hartsville’s 2008-09 fiscal year budget.
Hartsville City Council members and city employees met Tuesday to discuss the proposed $11.5 million budget during a workshop before a regularly scheduled work session Tuesday.
City of Hartsville department leaders have cut their initial budget requests by nearly $500,000, and an estimated $440,000 of the budget for 2008-09 fiscal year will come from the city’s reserve fund. City manager Jim Pennington said the fund has about $600,000.
Mayor Michael Holt voiced concern that the number has continuously dwindled.
The largest budget increase for most of the city’s departments are the result of an increase in the price of fuel, which is affecting governments at state, local and federal levels.
“We don’t have a choice when it comes to fuel costs,” councilman Bob Braddock said.
During the regular work session, the council received updates on three programs in the city.
The city will begin the process of looking for developers for the new Vista area under construction. Rodney Tucker, the city’s planning and zoning director, said the city’s open to the idea of a new hotel or restaurant in that area.
Tucker also is planning a project in conjunction with Clemson University to develop the former Butler High School campus, which is owned jointly by the city and the Darlington County School District. He said the city, school district and Butler Heritage Foundation are willing to collaborate on the project.
The city also is looking to establish a committee that would pursue putting a historic marker at Pride Park on Sixth Street, where a school was once located. Tucker said that area of the city is rich with tradition and heritage, and a marker would be fitting.
Also during the regular work session, the council reviewed the city’s June calendar of events, and reviewed and approval the agenda for the next regular meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The meeting will take place in council chambers at city hall, located at 133 W. Carolina Ave. For more details, call Andrea R. McDonald, deputy clerk/records manager, at (843) 383-3018.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement