Opp’s $6.6M budget includes 3% COLA

Published 12:02 am Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The City of Opp passed its $6.6 million budget Monday night, including 3 percent across-the-board raises for employees, the mayor and council.

Opp Mayor H.D. Edgar said the budget was “conservative,” but still includes a lot of things for the city.

Additionally, the city did not pass on the new costs to contribute to the state retirement system.

Other highlights of the budget expenses included:

• $134,800 for the Rattlesnake Rodeo, including $80,000 for entertainment, a figure down from $108,000 spent for the last rodeo;

• $359,100 for the administrative department, including salaries, insurance, elections and more. The number is down from the last year’s actual budget of $361,000;

• $70,600 for city hall public buildings;

• $1.5 million for the police department, including $922,725 in salaries and $50,000 to feed and house prisoners;

• $397,050 for the fire department, with $204,000 in salaries;

• $712,000 for street department expenses, including $312,000 for salaries;

• $205,325 for the sanitation department;

• $111,850 for the judicial department;

• $83,150 for shop-related expenses;

• $119,650 for the library;

• $315,475 for parks and recreation;

• $160,650 for senior citizens expenses; and

Total expenses budgeted total $6.04 million. Big purchase projects include $50,000 for the Custom Collar expansion, $298,000 for an industrial access road and $50,000 for Depot expenses.