The Fultondale City Council has approved a budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year, with slightly lower numbers for both revenues and expenses.

The budget, which was passed in the regular council session on Tuesday morning, projects revenues of $12.32 million, down from $12.41 million in 2013-14. That’s a decrease of less than 1 percent.

The projected spending comes to $11.29 million, down from $12.39 million the year before. That’s a more significant decrease of 9.1 percent.

Councilman Joe Bolton, who presented the budget for approval, said that revenues had basically been flat for the last three or four years, but that the city had kept the books in good shape by keeping a tight rein on expenses.

“We’ve been very strict on our capital improvement budget over the past four years,” Bolton said. “We’ve budgeted about $200,000 for improvements this year.”

Most of that amount will go to the police department, which will get $75,000. The fire department will get $50,000.

In a related matter, the council also authorized Mayor Jim Lowery to hire Innovative Utility Solutions to advise the city on possible refinancing of city bonds, with an eye toward lowering interest costs.

The council also authorized Lowery to execute any documents needed to settle the long-running lawsuit filed by CNL Properties, the parent company of the tornado-damaged Home Field Sports Grill, and John Douglas. That authorization comes even though no settlement is currently pending, Lowery said.

“This case is on appeal to the [Alabama] Supreme Court, and there’s really nothing that’s changed lately,” Lowery said. “This case could take years.”

The lawsuit, which was dismissed by a district court, seeks to overturn Fultondale’s finding that the restaurant was damaged more than 50 percent by the April 2011 tornado, and therefore would have to meet current city zoning regulations if rebuilt.

Douglas for mayor ran unsuccessfully against Lowery in the most recent municipal election.

In other business, the council:

• approved an agreement between the city and Alabama Power for the maintenance of street lights on Interstate 65 through the city

• authorized the renewal of contracts between the city and the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens for services at the Fultondale Senior Center, and the city’s portion of sponsored services at the Mt. Olive Senior Center.