Perry’s first budget meeting

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Perry City Council members heard

from four department heads Monday about next fiscal year’s budget.

Perry’s fire chief, Joel Gray,

asked the council for 21 additional firefighters which, according to him, would

bring down the city’s ISO rating from a 5/9/10. The firefighters “are not

recommended until a revenue source to fund the costs is established,” states

the proposed budget.

Although the firefighters that

would have been used to fully staff both of the city’s fire stations are not

recommended, Gray told council members that the proposed funding for the fire department

is “totally within our bounds to work with.”

Economic Development Director Mary

Beth Bass gave the council a detailed description of why the department needs a

full time main street coordinator/manager.

She explained to council members

that focusing on the downtown area takes up a bulk of her time and takes away

from the other areas on which the council has asked her to focus.

The position, which is currently a

part-time position that has been recommended to become a full-time position,

will focus on the main Street Affiliate Advisory Board, the Downtown

Development Authority and the Perry Downtown Merchants Association.

Bass also asked for funding for

phase one of the Community Engagement/Redevelopment Plan. Funding for this

phase would be $30,000. The plan is not recommended in the proposed budget.

According to a handout provided by Bass, the plan would “gauge the community’s

vision for future growth, desired amenities, leisure activities and business

trends.”

Community Development Director

Mike Beecham told the council there were “no major issues” with the proposed

budget. He did, however, ask the council for more volunteers for code

enforcement.

Recreation Director Rick Kilgore

asked for $2,000 for additional youth football helmets, according to City

Manager Lee Gilmour.

Council will hold two other budget

meetings on May 20 and June 3. The official public hearing will be held on June

4 at city hall.

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