THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville City Council member who cast the sole opposing vote Monday on the 2020 city operating and capital budget prefaced his vote by saying neither he nor any other council member could possibly absorb the $125 million budget as presented to the governing body.

Ashley Cason, city chief financial officer, told the council the 2020 budget has no utilities increase and no property taxes.

Council member David Hufstetler, who cast the dissenting vote, said that had utilities increases been included in the budget, it would have had no chance of passing.

Mayor Greg Hobbs told Hufstetler the budget, if adopted, could be amended.

Alan Carson told the council to cut the $700,000 mentioned by Hufstetler probably would require looking at positions and furloughs.

Council member Jay Flowers, who made the motion to adopt the budget, said he would support looking at a decrease. 

“I do believe we operate very efficiently,” Flowers added.

Flowers said he wants to “push it through as is” and look at the budget later.

Council member Todd Mobley pointed out $8 million of the budget is for infrastructure repairs and pay adjustments for some hourly employees.

Changes in the pay scale for affected hourly employees will cost more than $1.2 million. More than $6 million is budgeted for 2020 infrastructure work.

“We’re going to have to attack that,” the city manager said, in reference to infrastructure improvements. Sewer and water leaks are occurring, he added.

Expenditures can be looked at as 2020 progresses, Carson said, and adjustments can be made. 

“I’m confident that our city manager and our CFO are as, or more capable than most in their capacities,” Hufstetler said prior to the vote. “And that they, along with the various direct reports and other staff participating in the budgeting process have carefully scrutinized the budget as presented to us for consideration tonight. And you, (Mr.) Carson, Ashley and staff are to be commended for re-examining numbers, types and uses of any additional vehicles being requested. Further, holding staff additions to two more versus the 15 requested is commendable.”

From prepared remarks, Hufstetler said the lack of time allotted for council involvement in the budget process does not allow the council — individually or collectively — to make an intelligent vote either way. 

“However, ultimately, in the end, when we, the council, put our ‘stamp of approval’ by virtue of a vote, that buck stops with us. Good or bad,” Hufstetler said.

The council member said that in January 2019, he was asked to go along with an approximate 6 percent increase in utility rates, exclusive of electricity.

“I did so and in fact made the motion to do that,” he said. “However, there was a tacit agreement that we would probably be able to find savings at least equal to that amount, $700,000, at the very least by budget time 2020 if not before so the council could rescind the increase.” 

Hufstetler said he repeatedly made the following request in recent months: “Find me one-half of 1 percent cost savings and/or in amount of transfers, whatever form necessary to be able to rescind that utility rate increase. Of course, that one-half percent equates to approximately $700,000, the amount of revenues generated by the increased rate.”

“Now in the hands of mere mortals, this might be an unreasonable request,” Hufstetler continued. “However, I am convinced you, Mr. City Manager, along with the outstanding resources and personnel provided to you by this great city, this menial task should be a piece of cake.”

  

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820