The Baldwin City Council adopted its $3.6 million budget and, with it, a significant pay raise for the town’s chief administrative officer.
During a special called meeting on Friday, June 30, acting mayor Alice Venter asked if there were any changes to the budget.
Councilmember Stephanie Almagno stated, “The good news is that we have been able to reduce the budget by $7,000; thanks to the police department being fully staffed, we were able to reduce one of their lines originally budgeted by $7,000.”
Venter exclaimed, “YES!!” She added, “Congratulations. Thank you, everyone. That is fantastic news.”
“Once we receive the digest from the county, we’ll begin discussion on our millage rate. We can’t set ours until we receive that digest,” said Woodmaster.
She explained to the council that the city typically receives the digest at the beginning of July, but the city has received it as late as AugustShe explained that the county anticipates an 11.8% increase in the digest, and the city anticipates a 5% increase.
“If that increase is in there because there is a net change to the bottom line of the digest, and the council does not roll back the taxes, then we will have to have three public hearings. If you do decide to roll back the millage rates, there won’t have to be public hearings. It will just be a rollback,” said Woodmaster.
CAO gets 60% pay raise
The council approved the FY 2024 budget unanimously. Councilmember Larry Lewallen did not attend the meeting.
The original general fund budget that was presented previously totaled $3,617,336. The approved general fund budget is $3,610,336.
The budget includes a $39,000 pay raise for Woodmaster. The council increased her annual salary from $65,000 to $104,000. In addition, the council agreed to pay Woodmaster a one-time $12,283.83 supplement. This supplemental payment is the difference between her new and old salaries during the time her contract was being negotiated.
