After being asked to cut 7 percent from their proposed budgets, Blytheville Waterworks and Blytheville Wastewater came back with what might be the departments' final proposal before the 2014 budget is finalized.
Wastewater Director Kenneth Ellis said he didn't make any changes to his budget because he had already figured in a 7 percent cut in anticipation of this request.
"I tried to get a jump on it just a little," Ellis said in reference to the Finance Committee's request. "We have things we need. We need two new trucks, one four-wheel-drive and one two-wheel -- but you guys know that. And I say this every time, but my employees need raises. Not for me, but for my employees. All that being said, we work with what we've got. We do our best with what you guys give us."
The Airport and Utilities Committee moved to use the 2013 Wastewater increase of $1.46, but reserved the right to review revenues after the first month and decide whether or not they will elect to use the 2014 increase of $3.07, a decision City Attorney Mike Bearden said the committee has the latitude to make according to the original ordinance.
Blytheville Waterworks General Manger Gary Phillips was able to make some changes to his department's proposed budgets -- changes that he said strips the budget "to the bone." Phillips cut the Waterworks budget from $2,679,784 to $2,491,484, coming in just under Finance Committee Chairman Tommy Abbott's suggested target of $2,492,199.12.
The department is, however, moving forward with its plan to expand the city's water treatment plant -- a major project. The estimated $3 million job would take roughly 18-24 months and, according to Phillips, likely won't cost citizens any money.
"The way I've got this worked out it shouldn't cost our people anything," he said.
Details were not given on how the project would be funded during Thursday night's meeting.
cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com