Albany City Council held its regular meeting last Tuesday, May 1 with four of six members present, getting a first look at the proposed $3.72 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Mayor Nicky Smith presented and reviewed the proposed 2012-13 fiscal year budget for the city, which totals $3,722,722.00.

The budget being presented has a very similar total to last year’s $3.75 million budget, and the proposed budget also includes a pay increase to city employees, effective July 1.

The total general fund amount budgeted is just over $1 million and includes local operations and each city department. As always, the bulk of the budget is in water utilities at $2.3 million and combined with waste water utilities of over $300,000 the total water department related budgets is over $2.6 million of the total $3.7 million.

The breakdown per department in the general fund is $233,600 in general government; $507,900 in the police department; $105,120 in the fire department; and, $230,900 in the street department.

Final reading of the city budget is expected to be held in June.

The council also heard a progress update from Monarch Engineer David Bowles, who updated the status of the utility relocation along the bypass, which is apparently going on schedule.

Engineers are waiting on the Department of Transportation to issue a change order approval to relocate a three-inch water line along the Mt. Drive area. Also, the second of three phases of the utility relocation, from on South 127 beginning at Hwy. 1590 to Hwy. 969 that goes to Duvall Valley, was already 28 percent complete as of early last week.

Another important announcement by Bowles was that Stotts Construction Company has completed the relocation of approximately 920 LF of 16-inch water transmission main for the development of the new Blue Grass Stockyards, which is scheduled to open later this month. That particular project was funded through a KIA 2020 Water Service Grant.

Mayor Nicky Smith then announced the city was offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons who caused heavy damage to the Welcome to Albany sign near Mountain View Park on North 127.

The sign, as well as the park sign and four to five mailboxes in the vicinity, was damaged by vandals, probably in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 28. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Albany Police Department or Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

After discussing the channel lineup change proposal by Medicacom cable (a separate article appears on that issue beginning on page 1), the council, on a motion by Tony Delk, voted to accept the deed for the turning lane at the new Dollar General Market. The mayor and council also thanked Susan Cox for donating enough land to allow for the turning lane to be constructed.

The council then entered into a brief 10-minute closed session with a member of the water department to discuss possible pending litigation but took no action upon returning to open session.

In other business, Councilman Delk again asked about the possibility of constructing some type of sidewalk from near Talbott Funeral Home north to around the schools and park area. Earlier estimates had been obtained but the city didn’t have the finances to complete such a project.

Mayor Smith said he would get more estimates and the council will look into possible funding sources in the way of grants to help with such a project. Council members cited the amount of foot traffic in that area and pedestrian safety as a need for the sidewalk.

Councilwoman Tonya Thrasher also reminded residents about last Friday night’s Senior Prom and asked people, including motorists, to be careful that evening and make prom night safe.

Also, Councilman Delk reminded members about the opening day of Little League baseball this season, that is scheduled for this Saturday, May 12 beginning with a parade starting from the middle school at 9 a.m. (parade line-up at 8 a.m.) with opening day festivities and games to follow at Mountain View Park.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for June 5 at 5 p.m. at City Hall.