The Turkey town board held a workshop Tuesday night to discuss the town’s budget. Although the public was welcome to attend, no public comments were taken.
Although few, comissioners did discuss some minor changes to the town’s budget.
According to the projected general fund budget for 2014 as it currently stands, the town clerk’s salary will be raised from $11,840 to $13,500, an increase of $1,660.
The town’s general maintainence fund will receive an increase as well, going up from $9,200 to $10,200.
The board agreed that this $1,000 increase was necessary for improvements that need to be made around the town hall, primarily for replacing numerous old posts and the worn wire cable that surrounds the town hall and acts as a barrier to keep people and vehicles off the grass.
Increases in professional expenses and advertisements and notices were also agreed on because more was spent last year for these two items than was budgeted.
The only decrease noted was to the town’s travel fund. As it is rarely used, and then mainly by the town clerk, the town’s allocation for mileage will be lowered from $1,200 to to $800.
The total expenditures for the general fund are projected at $132,183 for 2014. Last year, general fund expenditures totaled $122, 429.
As the town’s comissioners reviewed the details of the water fund, they pointed out one significant increase.
The town’s allocation for system maintainence will need to be increased by $7,000, raising it from $10,000 to $17,000, for the purchase and installation of new cutoff valves.
However, decreases were also a part of the commissioners’ consideration of the water fund.
According to water fund projections, finances for general maintainence will be lowered from $3,744 to $3,000, the system lab test allocation will go from $4,000 to $300, and departmental supplies will drop from $4,300 to $1,500.
The water fund’s total expenditures are projected at $54,245 for next year, a slight increase from last year’s $52,776.
Mayor Tim Clifton told the town board that they had “hit right on it (the water fund) and got it in good shape again…I hope to keep it stong.”
Overall, Turkey’s total budget revenues and expenditures are projected at $196,643, an increase from last year’s total of $185,205.
A public hearing concerning the town budget will be held during May’s town meeting and the town board will vote on the budget in June.
Lauren Williams can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 117 or via email at lwilliams@civitasmedia.com.



















