Aldermen approve new budget

The Ackerman Board of Aldermen approved the 2009-2010 budget and tax levy in the Sept. 1 board meeting, after a short discussion.

Mayor Dick Cain said, "I think it's a very workable budget."

The Town of Ackerman's 2009-2010 budget includes estimated revenues from all sources and total available cash of $4,396,498 and estimated expenses of $2,708,984.

The Town of Ackerman's millage rate is a total of 50 mills of which 43 mills are for the General Fund and 7 mills are for the Interest and Sinking Fund. The Town receives $7,500 for each mill. They are expecting to receive $375,000 in tax revenue. The milage rate is the same as last year.

The Town's revenues and total available cash are listed as:

¥ General Fund$1,458,819 which is $107,413 less than last year. This revenue includes money collected through taxes, licenses and permits, grants, fines and forfeits and interfund transfers.

¥ Cemetery $53,794 which is $6,546 less than last year.

¥ Interest & Sinking (debt service) $155,342 which is $1,458 more than last year.

¥ Capital Projects Fund (grants) $26,000.

¥ Water and Sewer Operation and Maintenance Fund $2,690,570 which is $970,386 more than last year. Of that total revenue, $658,990 is a federal grant. The Town estimates to collect $579,000 in water and sewer charges.

¥ Unemployment Compensation trust fund $11,973 which is $4,445 more than last year.

The Town's General Fund expenditures are listed as:

¥ General government $273,529 which is $36,309 less than last year.

¥ Police Department $312,945 which is $35,201 less than last year.

¥ Fire Department $71,708 which is $2,475 less than last year.

¥ Street Department $238,623 which is $41,046 more than last year.

¥ Park Operation $52,288 which is $6,292 more than last year.

¥ Cemetery transfer $8,000 which is the same as last year.

Other expenditures for the Town of Ackerman are listed as:

¥ Cemetery $20,838 which is $892 more than last year.

¥ Interest & Sinking $81,300 which is $2,500 less than last year.

¥ Capital Projects Fund (grants) $26,000.

¥ Water and Sewer Operation and Maintenance Fund $1,590,310 which is $903,833 more than last year. That expenditure includes federal grants and debt service on the lagoon project.

¥ Unemployment Compensation trust fund $11,973 which is $4,445 more than last year.