By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Employees with the City of East Brewton can expect a few extra dollars on their paycheck in the 2009 fiscal year.
In a unanimous vote, council members in East Brewton approved the fiscal year budget that included a 50-cent per hour pay increase for all city workers.
The nearly $1.4 million budget includes allocations for administrative services as well as public transportation which includes garbage and trash services as well as street lights. Public safety and fire departments also were included in the budgeted amounts for the year.
Total expenses in the budget include $622,183.69 for administration; $391,000.24 for the public transportation department; $245,450 for the public safety department; and $125,688.07 for the fire department.
Revenues are expected to come from taxes in a wide range of services. More than $500,000 is expected to be generated from sales taxes in East Brewton in the coming year. Other high revenue areas include property taxes as well as business license fees.
In other business, the council approved a one-time lump sum payment for retired city employees.
As the meeting came to an end, Clark took the opportunity to make special presentations to the out-going councilmen on the board.
Byron Palmer has held the position as councilman for place 3 in East Brewton for 20 years. He chose not to seek reelection to the position.
Palmer had served in the position of mayor pro-tem for 16 of his 20 years on the council.
Joining Palmer in the ranks of retired councilmen is Henry Hooks who served in the place 4 position for the past four years.
Hooks chose not to seek reelection to his position during the recent municipal elections.
The seats left vacant by Palmer and Hooks will see new councilmen take those positions in the first November meeting of the council.
Ludon Simmons will be serving as councilman for place 3 while Bob Arrant will be taking over the place 4 seat at the council table.