City of Brookhaven approves $20.4 million budget for Fiscal Year 2025

The City of Brookhaven has approved its new budget in the amount of $20,476,500.

A public hearing was conducted Tuesday on the proposed budget and tax levies for Fiscal Year 2025. No residents of the city attended the 5:30 p.m. hearing, which had been scheduled and advertised for approximately one month.

At 6 p.m., the Board of Aldermen reconvened its prior meeting for the purpose of voting on the budget. All members were in attendance — in person or via phone — except Ward 6 Alderman Andre’ Spiller. With a motion by Ward 4 Alderman Jeff Henning and second from Ward 5 Alderman Fletcher Grice, the Board voted 6-0 to approve the budget, the Solid Waste rate increase, and a 50-cent hike each in minimum water and sewer rates. All will take effect Oct. 1.

The water and sewer rates will each increase from $18.50 to $19 on usage of zero to 2,000 gallons.

The City currently operates with the projected total budget revenue of $18,779,300. Of that, 28 percent, or $5.3 million, is obtained through ad valorem/property taxes.

For the coming fiscal year (FY2025), the proposed budget has a total projected revenue of $20,476,500. Of that amount, 27 percent, or $5.5 million, is proposed to come from ad valorem taxes.

Total estimated expenditures for the current year — which ends Sept. 30, 2024 — are $18,776,909.88, leaving an end-of-year balance of $2,390.12.

Total expenditures estimated in the FY2025 budget are $20,465,674.60, with an ending balance of $10,825.40.

City solid waste costs to increase

Effective Oct. 1, 2024, the City of Brookhaven will increase the monthly Solid Waste price per consumer from $32.50 to $36.50.

The 12.3-percent increase will result in approximately $196,944 additional revenue annually. Services include din the rate are weekly household garbage pickup; removal of limbs and leaves; and removal of large debris/trash.

The increase will help bring the landfill into compliance for closure, based on regulations of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

The FY2025 Solid Waste Department Budget will decrease, however. The current year’s estimated revenues are $3.702 million, with expenditures of $3,627,240.63, leaving an end-of-year balance of $74,759.37. The coming year’s estimated revenues are $2.328 million, with expenditures of $2,314,300.01, with a year-end balance of $13,699.99.

The FY2025 Water & Sewer Department Budget increases by approximately $370,000, anticipating revenue of $4.389 million, expenditures of $4,386,300, and a final balance of $2,700. The year coming to a close has anticipated revenues of $4.013 million, expenditures of $3.993 million, and an ending balance of $20,000.

Debt service

Fiscal Year 2024 is anticipated to conclude with receipts of $1,639,298.24 — $800,000 in transfers, $314,000 in ad valorem taxes, and a beginning balance of $525,298.24. Total disbursements — loans, bonds, and sewer and water expansions — are expected to be $1,517,555.69, leaving a balance of $121,742.55.

FY2025 is expected to have receipts of $1,848,660.29 — $1,192,996.89 in transfers, $372,393 in ad valorem taxes, and a beginning balance of $283,270.40. Total disbursements are anticipated at $1,840,778.84, with an ending balance of $7,881.45.

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