Star board prepares for budget hearing ♥

Published in the Courier-Tribune on June 10, 2011

by Hugh Martin

Note: The actual submitted story follows the published copy.

STAR — The Town of Star commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the 2011-2012 budget at the June 13 meeting in town hall on South Main Street at 5 p.m.

The estimated budget of $708,051 for the next fiscal year is an increase of $62,134 over the current budget. A copy of the budget is available for public viewing at the town hall.

Mayor Susan Eggleston has commended the town department heads for the way they have worked within the budget over the past year.

The proposed budget includes decreases in the police, street and garbage expenses and includes a 2 percent salary increase for town employees, who have not had a raise in four years.

At the May meeting, Commissioner James Parker asked for a 1 percent increase for the police department, but Eggleston said that police officers had already received an increase earlier this year following the resignation of former Police Chief Dempsey Owens, who was elected sheriff of Montgomery County.

The Star branch of the Montgomery County Library would receive $5,800, which is the same amount as last year. This amount would allow the library to continue operating on the same schedule without cutting any hours of service.

“Our library is a hidden treasure,” stated Eggleston. “Claudia (McIntosh) does a great job.”

Star will also have some grant monies passing through the general fund, including $264,000 for the new Frontier Logistics plant and $500,000 for the American and Carolina Growler companies. Frontier Logistics is a material handling company based in La Porte, Texas, that is in the process of locating a warehouse and transfer facility in Star.

Management Advisor John Gowan said that the town has already started working on processing reimbursements for the Frontier Logistics work.

Also included will be the $118,000 STEP grant and $20,000 from RAFI-USA to establish a farmers’ market beside town hall.

A $10,000 grant from Golden Leaf is still pending, but Eggleston told the board members that Star’s request was presently ranked number two for consideration.

Eggleston also said that an appraisal on the medical clinic building, which is owned by the town, had been received and will be discussed at the June 13 meeting.

(Submitted story follows)
Star board prepares for budget hearing

By Hugh Martin

STAR – Star commissioners have settled on an estimated budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The budget of $708,051.00 is an increase of $62,134 over the budget for 2010–2011.

A public hearing on the budget will be held prior to the regular June meeting next Monday, June 13 at 5:00 pm.

Mayor Susan Eggleston commended the town’s department heads for the way they have worked within the budget over the past year.

The proposed budget includes decreases in the Police, Street and Garbage expenses and includes a 2 percent salary increase for town employees. Commissioner James Parker asked if the police department could also receive a 1 percent increase. Eggleston remarked that police officers had already received an increase earlier this year following the resignation of former Police Chief Dempsey Owens, who was elected Sheriff of Montgomery County.

Commissioner Jennifer Fountain said that if there was enough to give the police department another increase then she would rather see employees receive a 3 percent increase. Town employees have not had a raise in four years.

The Star branch of the Montgomery County Library would receive the same amount, $5800.00, as last year if the proposed budget is passed. This amount would allow the library to continue operating on the same schedule without cutting any hours of service. “Our library is a hidden treasure,” stated Eggleston. “Claudia (McIntosh) does a great job.”

Star will also have some grant monies passing through the General Fund, including $264,000 for the new Frontier Logistics plant and $500,000 for the American and Carolina Growler companies.

Management Advisor John Gowan said that the town has already started working on processing reimbursements for the Frontier Logistics work. Frontier Logistics is a material handling company based in La Porte, Texas, that is in the process of locating a warehouse and transfer facility in Star.

Also included will be $118,000.00 for STEP and $20,000.00 from RAFI. A $10,000.00 grant from Golden Leaf is still pending, but Eggleston told the board members that Star’s request was presently ranked #2 for consideration.

Eggleston told board members that an appraisal on the medical clinic building, which is owned by the town, had been received. The appraisal will be discussed at next week’s regular meeting.

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