By Trent Moore

Staff Writer

With less than a month in office remaining for the current Cullman mayor and all but one city council member, a ”necessary funds” budget has been passed to ensure the city continues to run smoothly throughout the transition.

“Our budgetary year starts Oct. 1,” outgoing council member Ernest Hauk said. “Since the budget has not been approved, we’re going to pass this to allow all normal operations to continue, even though we haven’t actually passed a budget.”

Hauk said the current council took this action so basic, day-to-day city business can continue until the new mayor and council have a chance to review the proposed budget, and make any changes they may deem appropriate.

“We — the old council — have worked on it with some of the new members that have already been elected,” Hauk said of incoming city council members Johnny Cook, Clint Hollingsworth and Jenny Folsom.

Hauk said the current administration also wanted to ensure that Mayor-elect Max Townson and incoming city councilman Andy Page — who both clinched their seats in the recent run off election — had time to review the budget.

“We just want to make sure Mr. Page and Mr. Townson have the opportunity to look over it, as well,” Hauk said.

According to the resolution adopted, the “necessary funds” budget will cover only “day-to-day business of the council,” which includes payroll, “to pay outstanding claims for goods, supplies, and services already received,” and “to make such purchases and expend such funds as are essential for the operation of the city until a budget is adopted.”

A full 2009 budget will likely not be approved until the new mayor and council take office on November 4.



‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.