The Jackson City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 by a margin of 8-1, during a special called budget hearing at City Hall, Tuesday.

“It’s been a difficult budget process, for sure, but the city is required to pass a budget by June 30,” said Bobby Arnold, Jackson’s City Recorder, “We worked really hard on this budget, and no one likes to budget a deficit or spend reserve funds.

“However, we believe we are being conservative, and it’s our hope and expectations to exceed this budget.

“We’re also very pleased this proposed budget is not funded by any debt.”

He also added there will be no increase in fees or property taxes – which will remain at 1.96.19 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Ross Priddy, who represents District 5, was the lone council member who voted against the proposal.

“I commend the accounting department and the Mayor (Scott Conger) on making efforts for making cuts where we were last week, but I just wasn’t able to get comfortable enough to be in favor of where we are – facing the deficit that we are about to incur given where our revenue and expenses are at this time.”

Priddy did say there were portions of the budget he finds favorable.

“There are departments where I do think we are moving in the right direction – where some cuts were made (so) it’s not a total dissatisfication … we have some areas to improve in, and I look forward to this year and improving in those areas.”

(PHOTO: Bobby Arnold, City Recorder)

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