(WDNG) – A $1.4 million budget amendment was unanimously approved by the Anniston City Council on Tuesday. Anniston City Manager Brian Johnson says the more than 4 percent budget increase reflects changes to the city’s financial standing.
The Council in September approved a $34.6 million budget for fiscal year 2015 that saw cuts to some city services. Tuesday’s amendments increase the city’s budget to $36 million. Johnson told reporters immediately after the meeting that the amendment reflects some revenue not anticipated during budget meetings before the start of the current fiscal year, including grant money, gas taxes and and business license fees. He said the increase does not reflect any new windfall of funding.
The $1.4 million increase in revenue was also met with an equivalent increase in spending, including a $466,000 increase in police funding and $350,000 increase in fire funding.
Tuesday’s action by the council also approved an amendment pertaining to the Stormwater Enterprise Fund budget. According to information from City Hall, the stormwater fund received $423,000 in stormwater user fees as well as $300,000 from intergovernmental revenue. “Additional money came from other sources, I think all of it grant [money],” said Johnson.
Other council actions from Tuesday included the appointment of Willie “Sonny” McMahand to the McClellan Development Authority. McMahand serves as the director of the Anniston Housing Authority and was picked by Council member Seyram Selase to serve out the unexpired term of Roderick Lemon. Selase said McMahand has an eye for redevelopment and insight for mixed-used buildings. “His background is actually in planning…and he definitely had the skill set to be an effective member of that board,” said Selase. McMahand’s term is set to expire in March 2017.