During a recent government meeting, officials discussed adjustments to the city budget, focusing on allocations for beautification, senior citizen programs, and employee salaries. The initial budget proposed $145,000 for city beautification, which was revised down to $119,000 based on anticipated costs. Funding for senior citizens was also reduced from $8,000 to $6,000, while an additional $2,500 was allocated for mailers and council expenses.

The meeting highlighted a proposed salary increase for three specific employees, suggesting a 5% raise instead of the standard 3.2%, aimed at addressing wage disparities among lower-paid staff. This adjustment would increase the overall wage budget by $2,274.

Discussion also centered on the potential acquisition of a new vehicle for the city engineer, with questions raised about its primary use and whether it would be available for other staff members. The current vehicle used by the engineer is reportedly facing multiple issues, prompting the need for a replacement.

Concerns were voiced regarding the city's practice of making donations to various nonprofits, with some council members questioning the appropriateness of using taxpayer money for such contributions. This topic has gained traction in light of recent legislative proposals aimed at regulating local government donations.

Lastly, the budget included a $100,000 allocation for professional services related to water testing, which officials deemed necessary to ensure compliance with health standards. The discussion concluded with a consensus to move forward with the preliminary budget, incorporating the changes discussed.