DENMARK -- Denmark City Council completed its workshop to develop a budget for fiscal year 2003-2004, and a public hearing and first reading of the budget was held at the Dane Theatre in Denmark Tuesday night.

The budget as presented prompted some probing questions from those in attendance.

Former city administrator Pat Anduze reminded council that the tax base is shrinking.

"We don't want to keep coming back and asking for increases. You need to check the figures, and I don't see how you can vote on a budget when you don't even know what the figures are really going to be. For you to have a second reading or final reading next week, that's not what you voted on at the first reading ... because if these figures change, you are having a totally new reading on this."

Denmark resident Ann Causby, a certified public accountant, said she had carefully analyzed the proposed budget and found "a lot of unanswered questions."

"This budget is not accurate. You need to have an accurate road map before you start the year. That is the reason for a budget, and it is to your benefit and your protection and for the citizens' protection," Causby said. "These questions that are being asked are in an effort to help you develop a budget that is an accurate projection for next year."

Denmark City Administrator Heyward Robinson, who presented the proposed budget, had very few answers to questions asked. "I don't have that information with me. I'll have to check on that and let you know" was Robinson's reply to many of the questions posed by residents.

One of the items questioned by Causby was fines and forfeitures. It shows an increase of 2,566 percent.

"How do you plan to obtain that level because that is a tremendous increase from $3,000 in 2003 to $80,000 next year? You might take in that amount but only about half of that is yours because some of the amount goes to the state," Causby said.

Robinson said that was accurate, and he said he would try to have that information available by the end of the week.

Another item that was questioned was "other revenue" listed at $100,000. Robinson said that included money from the Victim's Advocate program.

Causby said, "Those are not your funds. What is your revenue source for this?"

Robinson said he would break it down.

It was a general consensus that there were some "typo" errors because the explanations were not there and the numbers did not add up correctly.

Robinson showed a planned 100 percent increase in licenses and permits but did not have a ready explanation for the increase.

Also questioned was an anticipated 27 percent ($152,415) decrease in the Public Safety Department. Residents wanted to know what these cuts would involve. Interim Mayor Carrie Simmons said the city doesn't plan to replace the officers who have left.

Denmark resident the Rev. Rufus Jamison asked that council not reduce the city's police force, "because we need more protection and service than we have now."

Jamison also said, "We need somebody who can perform and be able to answer questions (about the budget) ... We need to hire somebody who can help and get this job done. So when I come to council, like others, I would like to see somebody who can respond."

The Public Safety Dept. is the only department proposed for a decrease. There is a proposed 20 percent increase in personal services in administration (city hall) and a 28 percent increase in the sanitation department.

"It is obvious that you have underestimated your expenditures," Causby said. "Please look at them because there have been omissions and items that are not realistically suggested."

Robinson conceded that he had omitted some expenditures and would have to, "go back and add some to it."

Causby said, "I hate to see you get into the middle of the year and come to the realization, 'Oh, I underestimated this and therefore I'm not going to be able to meet this budget.' We need to look at these things up front and know what they are, and you need to check yourself."

Resident Johnnie Rosa stressed again that a financial report has not been available for 10 months.

"I have been in contact with the Governor's office, Solicitor Barbara Morgan and today I contacted SLED. The law states that you are required to furnish financial reports," Rosa said. "Remember, this is not your money; it is our money you are spending and not telling us where it has gone. This has to stop."

In answer to the long overdue financial reports, Councilman Gerald Wright said, "I know it has been longer than it should have been. No one will argue that. But information is not absent. It's just not in the form that it can be presented in an accurate, up-to-date manner."

Anduze took exception to Wright's statement.

"In defense of the public, we had been told by the sitting council that the information was not put in the financial system. What you are telling the public now is this information has been consolidated into the financial system whereby you can retrieve this information."

Responded Wright, "Speaking as one councilperson, we can give a reasonable, practical projected budget for fiscal year 2004, based on information we have, even though that information is not in the form required to present to you in a financial status report."

The second and final reading on the budget and millage ordinance is scheduled to be made at the June 16 Denmark City Council meeting. However, Simmons said the council might have to have another public hearing first.

T&D Correspondent Vic Whetstone can be reached by e-mail at vwhets@bellsouth.net.

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