If the city of Brundidge continues to lose residents over then next 10 years as it did in the 2010 census, it will no longer be a city, but a town.

That was the prospect that Brundidge City Manager Britt Thomas gave the city council at its Tuesday meeting.

Thomas compared the 2010 census data to the 2000 census data and pointed out that fact to the council along with the overall picture of population decline in the city.

“The population of Brundidge declined by 265 people during the past 10 years, from 2,341 to 2,076,” Thomas said. “If the city drops another 77 residents by 2020, it will become a town.”

In a breakdown of the numbers, the white population of Brundidge dropped from 2,287 to 2,049 a variance of 238. The African American population dropped from 1,487 in 2000 to 1,306 in 2010, a variance of 181.

However, the Hispanic population increased from 19 in 2000 to 62 in 2010.

The total house units also dropped from 1,172 in 2000 to 1,086 in 2010. Occupied housing units dropped from 1,015 to 940 and vacant houses dropped from 157 to 146 over the 10-year period.

According to the 2010 census, Brundidge also showed a decline in residents in the 18 years and older population with the sharpest drop in the white population from 656 in 2000 to 314 in 2010. The African American population in the 18 years and older category dropped from 1,105 to 1,014.

The Brundidge City Council also reviewed the FY2010 audited financials from Oct. 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2010.

The general fund revenue was 105 percent of what was budgeted and was 3 percent more than the expenses in the general fund.

Thomas said that “all in all” the budget was very close all across the board.

“That shows that we have a good handle on the cost and the revenue and what we can do and what we can’t,” he said.

Adding to the good news was that the city paid off a 10-year bond during the fiscal year.

Several deficiencies in the organization were listed on the audit including the segregation of duties among city employees.

“That simply means that we don’t have enough people but I’m comfortable with the number of people that we have,” Thomas said. “Another deficiency listed was that we don’t have all customer utility deposits in one account. But we collect and refund deposits on a monthly basis. That way the resources are available for the city needs rather than being held in the bank at about 4 percent interest.”

The Brundidge City Council meets at 4 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Brundidge City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.