The City of Waycross will continue cost-cutting measures after city commissioners again rejected the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Commissioners voted 21 against approving the $42.668 million ledger during their bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, August 13. Passage of the budget also failed June 18 for lack of a second on a motion for approval.
This time, Commissioners Sheinita Bennett and Katrena Felder were in favor of approving the budget proposal of City Manager Ulysses Rayford while Commissioner Diane Hopkins voted against. Because the commission is a five-member body, it takes three “yes” votes to approve any action before the panel even though the other two seats — District 1 and 5 — currently are vacant.
Hopkins, who represents District 4, said the day after the vote she still had questions about the budget as presented.
“There are some things I’ve asked for and questioned in the budget and haven’t had those answered,” Hopkins said. “I have to be a good steward of the taxpayers money. If I’m asked from constituents about the budget I want to know the answer I can give them before I can vote to approve our budget.”
Hopkins mentioned a higher contingency fund in the new budget as well as some proposed salary increases for specific employees among the concerns.
Felder, who said she still had questions about the budget following the first attempt at passage, pointed to trust and verification for the foundation of her decision to approve.
“The purpose of detailing a budget is to avoid overspending and maintain a financial balance concerning the city's expenditures,” the District 3 representative said. “My decision in favor of passing the City of Waycross’s proposed FY25 budget is based upon the dual pillars of trust and verify.”
Rayford said the bulk of the budget’s near $4.9 million increase over FY 23-24 was to handle rising costs for inflation. He said that was covered by an increase in sales taxes and other revenues over last year.
The rejection means the city will continue operating on its current budget of $37.992 million. Commissioners passed a resolution in a special called meeting June 29 to continue using the FY 23-24 ledger after they took no action June 18.
To that end, Rayford said the city will continue the practices it implemented when the new fiscal year began July 1 to operate within the old budget.
“Priority is safety first and city functionality and operations,” Rayford said. “The aesethics, cutting grass, painting will follow. We’ll be as efficient as we can and as seamless as we can for the citizens.”
He said issues on the weekend, unless an emergency, would be addressed the next scheduled work day.
In the meantime, Rayford said he and Finance Director Greg Smith will attempt to provide more budget clarity for commissioners. Rayford said commissioners and directors met to discuss the budget on six occasions as in past years as well as on two other occassions.
Before the budget appears for consideration on another meeting agenda, two public hearings will be needed. Rayford said it will likely be October before another attempt at passage will be made.
