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We’re at the opening stages of the Fiscal Budget season in Selma.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. unveiled his 2024 Fiscal Budget Proposal twice this month.

Perkins first announced his $22.6 million budget proposal the day after the Fourth of July at a Public Hearing at Wallace Community College-Selma.

At a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Perkins presented his budget proposal to the Selma City Council.  The Mayor’s office emailed the city council copies of the budget proposal a few days after the meeting,

We attended both meetings. Perkins and his Department heads said the same things at both meetings, but the audience was different the second time around. Perkins was discussing his budget proposal to the city council, which has the option to accept or reject it.

For those who haven’t read our coverage of both meetings, here are the highlights of Perkins’ budget proposal: five departments: public works, public buildings, cemetery, landfill and recreation and a tax increase.

No one in the city council has publicly indicated their initial thoughts on Perkins’ budget proposal. They have until August 1 to make a decision.