City Manager Ed Moon presented the proposed 2020 West Point budget Tuesday night at the city’s work session. The budget covers the city’s 2020 fiscal year, which is the same as the calendar year.     

The total proposed budget is $19,367,071. This a total of $6,115,264 for the general fund, a total of $6,354,000 for electric, a total of $3,689,127 for water & sewer, a total of $1,430,700 for gas, $332,780 for E-911, $526,900 for sanitation, and $918,300 from SPLOST.

The general fund budget is further broken down into expenses for police at $1,767,700, fire at $1,615,500, public works at $840,750, the Virginia Cook Center at $20,800, recreation/parks at $98,000, planning and zoning at $326,400, economic development at $224,850, the Depot at $42,000, youth services at $92,900, the training center at $78,200, and general government expenses of $1,008,164.  

A 2 percent cost of living adjustment for employees is included, which accounts for an $80,000increase.  

Trash pickup for residents will increase from $4.32 to $5. The increase will partially cover the shortage between sanitation expenses, projected to be $526,900 and revenue, projected at $355,341. To completely cover expenses, individual trash pickup would need to be around $12, Moon said at the meeting. However, only a $5 fee is proposed.     

Utility budgets have remained mostly the same over the last four years. There will be no rate change for electric, water/sewage, or natural gas in 2020.  

The first public hearing on the budget will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 during the council’s work session at 5:30 p.m.  It will be presented for adoption on Dec. 9 at the regular council meeting at 5:30 p.m.