SANTEE - "I just can't pick the budget up," Santee Mayor Silas Seabrooks said during a council workshop on the 2009-2010 proposed spending plan Thursday afternoon.

"I don't have enough background or history on what brought these (figures) about to make a decent decision," Seabrooks complained.

Town Administrator Jason Purvis of Burkhold Smith Planning & Management responded that "this budget is completely based on the current year's spending and the two previous years' audits."

"I don't really know what other numbers you'd like for me to use," Purvis told Seabrooks. He said the budgeted figures "came straight out of the accounting software for the town."

Under the proposed budget, the town may be facing expenses of $1,259,323 next year, but revenues are projected at only $1,204,233.47 - a shortfall of $55,089.53.

Town leaders have not yet decided on how to even out the proposed general fund balance, but a hike of 10 percent - or greater - on water and sewer rates is being considered as a viable option.

"We don't have a choice now," Councilwoman Sheryl Patrick said.

Seabrooks raised concerns about water and sewer rate increases, especially since the town is on tap with the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency.

Although the LMRWA operates the system on the basis of "the more customers, the lower the cost," the Town of Santee is the only municipality currently using the system. Once more municipalities begin pumping water through the LMRWA system, the water rates are expected to decrease for customers.

"The Town of Santee is the only drinker on the system right now, so it's more expensive," Purvis said.

To further complicate the matter, Purvis noted that the town had not properly budgeted for expenses associated with using the regional water system.

"I thought when we changed over to the regional water system that would help us to get more revenue," Seabrooks said.

Council passed a resolution which gives town officials an additional 60 days to approve the new fiscal year budget. The town will continue to operate on the current year's budget which runs through June 30. Council must hold two public readings and approve the budget by Aug. 31.

Seabrooks, however, supported delaying a final decision on the budget.

"I've been going through the budget process for quite a few years, but I've never seen no hypothetical figures and no evidence that the figures are right … anybody can grab some figures out the air and say, 'This is what you need for a budget,'" Seabrooks said.

Council went into closed, executive session to discuss town salaries, a disciplinary matter and economic development.

When the meeting adjourned, The Times and Democrat asked Seabrooks about the termination of the town's finance director.

Last month in a split vote, the council adopted a budget amendment to eliminate the receptionist's position and cut the finance director's position from full-time to part-time. Seabrooks opposed that action.

On Thursday, Seabrooks confirmed he had fired the finance director, a decision he made during the past week.

The council will hold another budget workshop at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, an hour prior to its regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

T&D Correspondent Martha Rose Brown can be reached by e-mail at marfawose@aol.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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