news-record.com

Jamestown Town Council will continue to discuss the 2011-12 budget at 6:30 p.m. Monday after many residents spoke out against the budget Tuesday night.

Many residents asked the council to fund the Ragsdale YMCA at its prior $100,000. The council’s budget includes $25,000 for the Y.

Gene Bridgers said the council should not get new water meters for $400,000 and, instead, use that money for the Y.

The water-meter project is in the water and sewer fund, from which money cannot be transferred to the general fund.

Tom Walls suggested only opening the golf course Thursday through Saturday and closing it during the winter to help save money.

Jim Rayborn said the proposed Wrenn-Miller Park across from town hall is another “boondoggle,” like the golf course. Why not build a gift shop, he asked. A business on the property would generate income.

He also said eliminating garbage bags for the town residents will cause a mess. “People will use all types of bags,” he said.

Mary Ragsdale and Angie Bean of the Y spoke in favor of full funding for the nonprofit. People of all ages benefit from this facility, they said.

Councilman Will Ragsdale asked council if it would consider transferring $55,000 from the reserve fund to give to the Y, but other council members asked what would happen next year when the budget falls short. Continuing to take from the reserve fund would put the town under the minimum amount required by the state, they said.

Charles Dye said the golf course’s operating expense is too high and said the town should hire a consultant to find areas where it could cut costs.

Hugh Cates said taking $137,000 from the golf course and giving it to the Y, Jamestown Swing and Wrenn-Miller Park would be a good compromise. “It’s only about a 10 percent cut,” Maybe it’s time to raise the rates at the course, he said.

The 2011-12 fiscal budget doesn’t include additional taxes.

The tax rate is proposed to remain at 39 cents per $100 valuation. For a $200,000 house, that’s $780.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 373-7109 or elizabeth. seagraves@news-record.com