City of Walterboro adopts budget ordinance

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An ordinance to adopt the City of Walterboro’s general fund budget for fiscal year 2020-2021, was passed at the city council’s last meeting held on June 23.

According to Jeff Molinari, city manager, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in significant reductions to state and municipal government revenue streams, and the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget for the State of South Carolina will not be approved by July 1.

The City of Walterboro receives funding from the State of South Carolina to fund essential municipal services; and therefore, City Council may amend the general fund budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year as necessary to fund essential municipal services.

The mayor and council of the City of Walterboro voted as follows:

1. The 2020-2021 City General Fund Budget ordinance was adopted in the amount of $6,990,003 with revenues and expenditures as set out in the budget document which may be found online.

2. The property tax rate shall be set at 86.4 mills.

COVID-19 also impacted the city’s collection rate for water, sewer and sanitation services for the fiscal year 2020-2021, so the council may amend the Enterprise Fund Budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year as necessary. The 2020-2021 Enterprise Fund Budget ordinance was adopted with revenues and expenditures in the amount of $3,738,387.

In other business:

• Utilities Director Wayne Crosby advertised for bids to repair damage at the City Shop and related facilities located at 2016 Robertson Blvd., in the April 13 tornado. The city received bids from five contractors on June 8.

• RG Murray, LLC of Summerville was the low bidder. RG Murray proposed 3 items as alternatives: replacement of the bathroom fixtures, addition of 4” roof insulation in the office building, and installation of a personnel door instead of an overhead door for a total cost of $188,183.

The entire cost will be covered by the South Carolina Municipal Insurance Reserve Fund (SCMIRF). City staff has communicated with three of the references provided by RG Murray and have received positive responses. RG Murray has provided documentation of insurance and has a general contractors license in good standing with LLR. Staff recommended awarding the contract to RG Murray in the amount of $188,183.