The Harlem City Council held its 2023 budget work session at the city hall building on N. Louisville Street, Friday morning.
City Manager Debra Moore outlined the town’s financials, noting that Harlem is looking at an overall 7% increase in revenue.
Moore reviewed several requests from department personnel, including for a new full-time administrative role with the Harlem Police Department, a full-time public works employee and a part-time position at the Harlem Senior Citizens Center.
Moore noted requests from the police department for a 15% increase in salary across the board and increases for the fire department based on certifications.
She also explained that she had accounted for these increases in the proposed budget, along with the administrative position in the police department and the part-time role at the seniors’ center, as well the removal of a part-time role with community development and a role with the parks department, noting that the city was in talks with a contractor.
Public works requested a new dump trailer, and the police department also asked for a new vehicle, both of which, Moore said, could be acquired using SPLOST or American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.
The fire department requested a new fire engine, which could cost upwards of $350,000, to which Councilmember John Thigpen expressed concern, saying the need for a new truck should be explained.
The council discussed other considerations, such as the growing need for new hires in public safety as population and traffic rises.
As the meeting was a work session reviewing the proposed budget, no decisions were made. The council is scheduled to hold a public budget hearing in November.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
