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Updated: Friday, 06 Feb 2009, 5:19 PM CST
Published : Friday, 06 Feb 2009, 5:15 PM CST
FOLEY, Ala. - Last year, it took $24 million to run the city of Foley, but only $23 million was collected in revenue. Lately, looking at the calculator has been tough for Mayor John Koniar.
"It's not your enemy, you gotta know where you are at," said Koniar. The major problem facing Foley is that sales tax revenue is down 15%. "We anticipated a 10% decline, but it's a little more than what we thought," added Koniar. That means the city has to make changes, and the mayor said layoffs are still a possibility.
He hopes positions in the Police and Fire Departments will not have to be cut because of public safety. But there's no guarantee. "We asked every department head what they can do with and without, so we are collecting all that data from the departments."
In the end, Koniar said 'business-is-business' and the figures have to be out of the red. He also said the budget is a shadow of a tough economy. But they will get through it.
For one, they will pinch every penny possible and two, they are asking everyone to have a little patience. A final decision on what to do about layoffs will come at the next Council Meeting, which is set for later this month.
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