City hands out awards, passes budget

Moses Groom, left, began working for the City of Newberry in 2006 and has reached the position of meter services supervisor. He is joined by city manager Al Harvey.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_cityrec1.jpgMoses Groom, left, began working for the City of Newberry in 2006 and has reached the position of meter services supervisor. He is joined by city manager Al Harvey.

The recipients of the Newberry-Piedmont Municipal Power Agency scholarship pictured with Mayor Foster Senn, far left, and Councilman Zebbie Goudelock, far right. They are, from left, Joshua Sawyer, Colby Berry and Baily Clark.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_pmpa.jpgThe recipients of the Newberry-Piedmont Municipal Power Agency scholarship pictured with Mayor Foster Senn, far left, and Councilman Zebbie Goudelock, far right. They are, from left, Joshua Sawyer, Colby Berry and Baily Clark.

Sharon Lucas, left, has been employed with the City of Newberry since 2001 and currently holds the position of customer service supervisor. She is joined by city manager Al Harvey.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_cityrec2.jpgSharon Lucas, left, has been employed with the City of Newberry since 2001 and currently holds the position of customer service supervisor. She is joined by city manager Al Harvey.

NEWBERRY — Newberry City Council approved the budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year at its June meeting Tuesday night.

The total operating costs will be $80,437,878 compared with $91,345,728 for the current year.

The nearly 12 percent decrease can be owed to a large amount of bonded funds previously borrowed by the city which assistant city manager Matt DeWitt said is currently being spent.

“So each year for the next couple of years as we spend that money down the budget will progressively shrink and shrink and shrink,” DeWitt said.

In about five years he estimates the budget will have dropped to roughly $50 million.

The bonded money in question has been used to go toward utility capital expenses that have included repairs to water/sewer lines as well as resolving various electrical issues.

The millage rate will remain at 83.8 translating to no new taxes or fees in the upcoming year.

A motion to approve the first reading was made by Councilman Zebbie Goudelock and seconded by Councilman Lemont Glasgow with all in favor.

A special meeting has been called for next Tuesday, June 21, at 6 p.m. for the budget to receive final approval.

Council also approved the appointment of Pat Caldwell to the Newberry Housing Authority Board. The seat became vacant following the resignation of Clarence Chick whose tenure on the board totalled 48 years.

Chick’s term was not scheduled to expire until Dec. 1, 2017 making it necessary for the council to step in and approve a mayoral nominee.

Recognized for their years of service with the city were Moses Groom, who has reached the 10 year benchmark and currently holds the position of meter services supervisor, and Sharon Lucas who began working for the city 15 years ago and has reached the position of customer service supervisor.

Three recent high school graduates formally received the Newberry-Piedmont Municipal Power Agency scholarship with each expected to receive $700 as they head off to college.

Joshua Sawyer, who attended Newberry Academy, has enrolled at Newberry College for this fall while Newberry High School graduates Baily Clark and Colby Berry are bound for Clemson University.