Sweetwater commissioners pass budget ordinance on first reading after discussion on 'gun pay' replacements and pool funding

The Sweetwater Board of Commissioners on first reading approved Ordinance 10-50, the city's annual budget, after extended discussion about replacing an employee loan program commonly called "gun pay" and how to code and fund equipment and uniform purchases.

Commissioners voted on first reading after staff described line items and asked whether the board wanted to include placeholder amounts now or amend the budget later. Sonia, the city's recorder, told the board the city had historically charged employees roughly $18,000 annually for items that may now need to be paid by the city. "The last year, we charged about $18,000 that employees paid for that will now have to come out of the city budget," Sonia said. "So it's hard to judge. I don't know if you want to do $5,000 in each department specifically for employee needs or add it all to the uniform line item."

Why it matters: Commissioners said the…