Red Bay budget better than expected

In a special called meeting of the Red Bay City Council last week, the mayor and council members met with the purpose of amending the 2009-2010 budget.

However, the amendment was not for a reason that people might expect. The budget actually came out better than the city had planned.

The council’s budget committee consisting of council members Charlene Fancher, Mike Stockton and Brad Bolton had determined a projected revenue of $28,907.65 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

During the meeting, the budget was amended to reflect the actual revenue of $138,418.44 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

“This is an overwhelming blessing that we have these kinds of numbers,” Fancher said. “I just want to commend the department heads for doing an excellent job of staying within their budgets.”

Red Bay Mayor Bobby Forsythe was also pleased with the positive effects of having a secure budget in place.

“The council is responsible for overseeing the finances of the city, so they should be commended as well as the department heads,” the mayor said.

Fancher insisted that it was definitely a joint effort.

“This just shows the effect of having a budget and working together,” Fancher said. “Red Bay is definitely being blessed.”