Selma Mayor Darrio Melton said he has doubts about the $17.4 million budget the City Council passed two weeks ago.

Melton raised questions about the 2019 fiscal budget in an open letter to Queen City residents on Monday.

“A balance budget is the overall difference between government revenues and spending,” Melton wrote. “A positive balance is called a government budget surplus and a negative balance is a government budget deficit.”

Melton’s concerns with the budget are:

– The City Council did not take into account the $1M of outstanding debt that was due prior to

passing the budget.

– There is not a 10 percent reserve in the budget, as state law requires.

– The removal of all department office supplies expenses from departments.

– The elimination and reduction of positions in the Code Enforcement Department.

– Did not adequately staff the Landfill.

– Demoted and Terminated Employees without giving them due process.

– Reduced public services by defunding 27 positions in Public Works Department.

– Did not include funds for police department vehicles

– Did not adequately fund maintenance equipment for landfill.

– Did not adequately staff the landfill.

– Cut revenues to the City Department of Mental Health.

– Stated that council members travel was defunded but kept the funding in the budget for their travel.

– Did not included funds for the Fire Department’s needs: software, air bottles, turnout gear, and salaries for three fire investigators

– Melton believes the projected revenues are grossly above historical averages. The business licenses were grossly over projected by roughly $1M. With the current debt of $1M and the grossly projection that exceeds historical number by $1M that alone causes a $2M deficit in the budget that was passed.

–The Council explains that the police department was given a cost of living increase for officers but in actuality, salaries remained the same while 10 police positions were defunded; including and attempting to demote merit officers (Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeants), according to Melton.

– Eliminated funding for building inspector certification and continuous education.

– Attempted to eliminate HR Department and the Summer Youth Program.

City council President Corey Bowie said the invitation remains open for Melton and Department heads to amend the budget.

“It’s a workable budget in which amendments can occur,” Bowie said. “The council is looking into several ways to better improve the status of the finances, which include internal controls to amend the budget with an honest dialogue.”