West Memphis finished 2020 in the black
City revenues exceed expenses despite pandemic restrictions
By JOHN RECH
news@theeveningtimes.com
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon breathed a sigh of relief as he announced the city budget results from 2020 to the West Memphis City Council last month. Mc-Clendon expressed delight as he revealed the official budget results of the pandemic year.
McClendon put the clamps on spending during the pandemic stricken year. The city qualified for coronavirus relief and spent it all on coronavirus related supplies and support. But city council held its breathe over the tax revenue in the coronavirus economy that shuttered some local businesses. McClendon told an anxious city council that the city coffers finished last year in the black. The ward representatives welcomed the good news.
“This council approved a $21,432,406 budget,” said McClendon. “We can now confirm with information from our city financial director, this administration spent only 20,763,951.”
Not only did the McClendon administration reign in spending, the economy ran ahead of projections, generating more tax revenue than planned. The mayor announced the positive cash flow during the final council meeting in March.
“The greatest part about it is this budget generated $24,455,865. Under this administration, in a pandemic year, it generated a surplus of $2,722,412 for 2020.”
City council responded with a hearty round of applause.
“Some people were out of work, businesses were shut down or limited during the pandemic year,” said McClendon. “If that is not financial responsibility, then I do not know what is.”
The mayor called for unity as the administration looked forward to unleashing the voter approved bond funds to renovate and improve Tilden Rodgers Park “I hope we can all move forward together,” said McClendon. “It’s something we can all cheer for.”
McClendon thanked two council members in particular for lifting him in prayer as the burden carrying the city finances through the coronavirus crisis weighed heavily on him.
“Thank you Lorraine Mohamed and Helen Harris for showing me love and support, carrying me in prayer. Even when I was foolish enough not to pray for myself. I appreciate that. Sometimes I walk around with a big smile on my face, but I’m hurting on the inside. Thank you for your prayers.”
Councilman James Holt presented his observations and was glad for the positive annual outcome with a handful of municipal buildings being constructed.
“I’ve been on this council a lot of years,” said Holt. “Even with the pandemic we did more in this city than we did in the last year than we had in the last generation as far as building. If we keep doing it this way, West Memphis will be very much on the map. Mayor, thank you for your work.”
