Following a public hearing with no one in attendance, the Autryville town board voted unanimously to approve its 2010-11 budget with no tax increase and no increase in water rates.

With a total budget of $172,114.40, the board also elected to continue to have no salary or payment for its members or the mayor, Pat Williams.

The only change that the board wished to make to the budget before its members voted in favor of it was to increase its parks and recreation fund from $7,000 to $9,000 next year. Williams explained that the additional funds would be coming from $2,000 left over from the 2009-10 fiscal year, since the town is not prepared to spend the funds this month on a picnic area that the town is building.

In the now-approved budget, the town will receive $35,500 in real taxes and $4,300 in vehicle taxes, and $8,600 in garbage collection fees. Also, the town anticipates receiving at least $1,000 from its annual Little Miss Autryville pageant, but as of Tuesday, the final tally of the May event has not bee provided.

In addition, town clerk Diane Autry noted that the anticipated fund balance for the town will be $28,120.40.

After review of the budget with the one change to the parks and recreation fund, commissioner Mickey Spell motioned for the board to approve the budget. Commissioner Jean Cooper seconded it, and it was approved. Commissioners Ronald Long and Grover Autry were absent.

Condemnation officer

In other discussion, the board has chosen Cooper to be the town’s condemnation officer.

Autry explained that since the town has adopted an ordinance allowing the county to complete all of its home or building inspections, the town also needed to select a town leader to be the officer who will judge whether a building, in fact, should be condemned.

Immediately, commissioner William Holden expressed his desire to see Cooper in this position.

However, Cooper stated, “I don’t know anything about buildings.”

Spell expressed that since this relates too closely to his own work, he would not be the appropriate person for the position, but he did think that Cooper would be adequate.

“You could do it. You would be going on the inspector’s recommendation.,” Spell stated.

With this, Holden motioned to allow Cooper to be the town’s condemnation officer, Spell seconded it, and it was approved.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@heartlandpublications.com.