West Memphis budget weathering COVID-19 storm
City revenues staying on track with reduced spending as businesses reopen
By JOHN RECH
news@theeveningtimes.com
Despite the constraints placed on city government by the coronavirus pandemic, the city of West Memphis budget weathered the storm. Mayor Marco McClendon provided an updated budget status to city council during its final meeting in May. With state authorized limited re-openings underway the city had saved nearly $1,000,000 against its projected year to date spending plan.
McClendon ordered city administrators to postpone purchases and reign in department spending from the outset of pandemic restrictions. The efforts at austere spending paid off and the mayor expected to continued modest spending until a measurable economic rebound sustained.
“We are in a great position,” said McClendon. “We are $900,000 to the good with this budget. I can assure you that I will not be pushing or signing anything unnecessary, only things we have to have.”
The mayor offered first quarter spending from the biggest departments in the city. Normally 25 percent of the budget would be spent each quarter. The mayor said those key numbers exemplified expense control. “They have done a fantastic job,” said McClendon. “Our police department spent 21.2 percent. The fire department was 21.19 percent. Sanitation was at 21.16 percent, commercial dumpsters at 20.27, city shop at 14.6 percent. These are the biggest budgets in our general fund and everyone in these departments is hitting the mark.”
The mayor said he’d start monthly budget reporting to the full city council.
“I don’t want to this without your full support,” said Mc-Clendon. “I did not ask for this COVID-19, I will continue to
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work through this, I want you to continue to govern with me. I am the right one to deal with it. Our numbers won’t be worse than we thought.”
City Council heard about the year to date revenue stream. The business shutdowns impacted businesses differently. McClendon said the local Walmart was up 45 percent and construction projects remained strong. Other businesses endured complete shutdowns. Southland had reopened at one third capacity.
The city showed $983,000 above its capital and debt ratio. The city modied projections on casino revenue to $122,000 below budget.
“I think the projections are tough to be accurate on for sure,” said Budget chairman Councilman Tray Catt. “This will be a month by month examination. The short term is painful but the third and fourth quarter forecasts are improving. We are in a pretty good position.”
