The Century Town Council reviewed the town's current bill list presented by Town Clerk Leslie Howington and CPA Robert Hudson before approving it at Monday night's meeting. The total amount was $107,616.09, before grant monies of $39,582.25 reduced the final amount to $68,033.84 for bills starting in Nov. through Jan. 22.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Drainage Project Fund total is $39,582.25; the gas fund total is $33,134.94; the general fund total is 10,070.81; the Up Front Money for Grants Fund total is $777.78; and the water fund total is $24,050.31.
Hudson and Howington answered questions council members had regarding general ledger funds and special revenue amounts that appeared over or under what the town had budgeted.
Councilwoman Ann Brooks asked why one drug screen cost was larger than others. Howington said that the number of drug tests mandated is shared between departments, meaning several town employees from different departments were required to submit a sample at the same time on multiple days, which makes the amount larger. Brooks also asked what 'legal fees' were and that they seemed higher. Howington said that the town's attorney Matt Dannheisser bills periodically for general legal matters. Brooks also noted that the call out time for town employees was more than twice what was budgeted.
Hudson noted that the General Fund did not reflect nearly $41,000 received in January from the Capital Trust Fund.
Hudson also noted that the gas fund will have more money because of the recent cold weather. Hudson said according to a study it takes about $30,000 a month to finance the gas department. Hudson said that the town will break even or make a profit in January, February and March, but the warm months will reduce the revenue greatly.
“We're down from what we budgeted in the General Fund,” said Hudson. “But we're pretty much on point with everything else.”
Hudson suggested that there are two ways to balance the budget; to approve an amendment to allow additional money into the budget or move unspent money from another account to cover an expenditure.
The council then discussed the covering the $500 annual cost of joining Northwest Florida Regional Planning Council (NFRPC) with unspent contribution money.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins told the council it would benefit the town to be a member because the NFRPC can help find grants and ways to fund the town's ideas for improvement.
In a motion made by Councilman Luis Gomez and seconded by Councilman Gary Riley, the council voted to approve membership.
Membership in the NFRPC allows that a town council member be on the board. Brooks volunteered to serve on the board representing the town of Century.
In a motion made by Councilman Ben Boutwell and seconded by Riley, the council voted to approve.
Pipe damage fee extension
In other business, Century Mayor Henry Hawkins told the council Monday night that Century would extend the waiver for permitting and inspection fees for damages to plumbing piping related to the recent hard freezes in the area.
Hawkins said fees will be waived until close of business Wednesday, Jan. 31, but the waiver is not retroactive, and refunds will not be issued for fees incurred prior to Jan. 4, 2018.
Hawkins noted that this waiver only applies to permit and inspection fees. Permits are still required as usual.
