City postpones passing new budget

The Russellville City Council moved ahead Monday without passing an operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

A budget was on the agenda to be voted on, but council members decided to table the measure until city officials could meet with school board members and school system financial officers.

Mayor Troy Oliver told council members that he had spoken with a couple of school board members, but had not talked with Superintendent Don Cox concerning the city’s funding allocation to the school system.

Councilman Jeff Masterson told Oliver that he believed the mayor and Cox should work together before a city budget is passed. Oliver said he believes the city needs to work with school board members instead.

Councilman Lanny Hubbard told the council that he wanted to hold off on passing a budget until they could meet with school board members.

Oliver indicated that a meeting would be held between a couple school board members, a couple of city council members and the financial officers representing both parties.

In other business, the council:

• approved a $1,320 contract with Jeff Hogan to provide referees for 88 fall baseball games

• passed a resolution requesting proposals from local financial institutions on all city accounts and requested rates to borrow up to $250,000 for 90 days

• authorized $50 per day of additional compensation for the city clerk to serve as absentee election manager for the wet/dry referendum

• approved a five percent pay raise for Police Chief Chris Hargett for completing 160 hours in the certified law enforcement executive program.