BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WARFIELD — The City of Warfield conducted the first reading of its $121,700 budget Thursday.
“This is the biggest budget we’ve had in years,” Price told commissioners.
The $121,700 budget includes $61,239 in the general fund ($61 tangible taxes, $4,178 franchise fees, $33,000 licenses and fees, and $24,000 rent); $15,100 intergovernmental fund, $3,000 Local Government Economic Assistance Fund; and $42,361 American Rescue Plan Act.
The $24,000 rental income from Horizon Recovery for the community center significantly impacted the budget.
“Things are better than they have been in a long time,” said Price. “I’m just glad I don’t have to pick what to pay to still have money to make payroll.”
The commission approved an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and will receive $5,964.14 in Municipal Road Aid funding.
Price announced that Friends of the Tug Fork River would conduct tire removal from the river July 12 and 14 in Warfield.
The city plans to serve hot dogs to volunteers, and Commissioner John Sammons is working on getting donations to pay for the food.
“It’s something that has been planned for a while, and they’re just now getting to it,” said Price. “If it rains and the river is up, they will reschedule.”
Sammons said it could take up to two months to finish the cleanup, “but they are going to do it.”
The cleanup is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on both days and starts at the Warfield Boat Ramp.
Commissioners discussed cleaning up the Warfield Caboose.
Sammons said the caboose needs sandblasting and paint.
“A pressure washer might get a lot of it,” said Sammons. “We might get the fire department to come and spray it with a water hose.”
The commissioners voted to purchase security cameras for City Hall and a sickle bar mowing blade. They also plan to demolish the pergola.
Price sent correspondence to Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Eric Phelps about having the gazebo moved to the park in front of city hall and awaits his response.
“We’ve got people out there drinking and living in the gazebo,” said Price.
Sammons asked if anyone had heard that the county looked at an abandoned property on Collins Creek last week.
“They found a big rattlesnake living in it,” said Sammons. “I reckon they’re going to try to get it cleaned up.”