By John Howell Sr.
The Town of Como has proposed a budget for fiscal 2014 that projects $806,428.84 in revenue against expenses of $766,325.

The mayor and aldermen at a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11 approved the budget for public consideration during a special meeting tentatively set for Wednesday, September 18.

(www.panolian.com and The Panolian’s Facebook page will announce the date and time when confirmed by Como officials.)

Town leaders anticipate income from state and local taxes to total $430,354.70 during fiscal 2014, which starts Oct. 1. Documents released following the Sept. 11 meeting indicate another $328,619.14 in income from fees and the balance, $47,455, from other sources.

Ad valorem taxes are projected to generate $180,449.42, the largest single revenue item during the fiscal year. Sales tax income is projected to raise $140,000 for the municipality; followed by $115,000 in water receipts; $90,000 in sewer receipts; $54,000 from tourism tax income; $52,000 from gas receipts; $45,000 from garbage receipts and $45,000 from police fines and forfeitures; followed by $25,000 in franchise income. Town officials expect another $19,530.64 from the administrative fee collected with utility bills; $10,615.34 from homestead exemption reimbursement distribution; $9,746.74 from a Grand Gulf distribution; $4,753.29 from municipal aid; $4,200 rental income; $3,600 from Alcohol Beverage Control; $2,298.50 from the sales of privilege taxes and permits and $2,189.91 from rail car taxes. Five other sources of municipal income account for less than $1,000 each and total $3,045.

On the expense side of Como’s budget the police department projects the highest share totaling $244,387, followed by the administrative dept. at $232,537. Public works are projected to require an expenditure of $197,926; debt service $17,500; judicial $11,375 and fire department $8,600. Another item, tourism taxes, is listed as an expense item in the amount of $54,000.

In the police department, $180,707 is expended for salaries and related expenses; $25,000 for vehicles and equipment; $12,000 for payment to the Panola County jail to house prisoners; $17840 for fuel and car maintenance.

Administrative department expenses include $54,901 in administrative salaries and related expenses (state retirment and FICA). Aldermen salaries and expenses total $18,330; the mayor’s salary and related expenses total $8,785; and the board attorney, $8,921.

The expense for public works includes the categories of street and maintenance, water department, gas dept., waste management, and public works. The street department includes $19,024 in salaries and related expenses; the water dept. includes $9,600 for contract personnel; waste management includes $50,400 for contract personnel; and public works includes $21,879 in salaries and related expenses. The only item budgeted for the gas department is $2,000 for parts and fittings. Operation of the gas department is by contractor.