Monroe projects $57.4-million budget
by Johnny Gunter - posted Thursday, February 21st, 2013 @ 12:00 pm

The Monroe City Council conducted the first of three budget hearings Tuesday night to entertain a proposed $57.4-million budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, which begins May 1.

A number of questions were aired, including a number of them posed by City Councilwoman Betty Blakes who questioned everything from city employee salaries to oil and gasoline expenses. Besides Blakes, councilmen Dr. Ray Armstrong and Kenneth Wilson attended their first budget hearings as members of the City Council.

Two more budget hearings are scheduled. They will be held Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. Each meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The City Council must introduce an ordinance to adopt a budget for the new fiscal year by March 26. Final adoption of the budget must occur no later than April 9.
.....