The Brundidge City Council adopted a $8.96 million FY2012 budget at its Tuesday meeting that included a 3 percent pay adjustment for city employees totaling  $37,272.00

That amount included the $8 an hour salary for an additional fulltime employee at the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library.

Britt Thomas, city manager, said that he had failed to mention the additional library employee salary to the council but wanted to make them aware of it before the council adopted the budget.

“Miss (Jean) Carroll, head librarian, is not certain whether an additional fulltime employee is needed or how many hours a part time employee might be needed,” Thomas said.

The money is in the budget for either position, Thomas said.

Funds were also included in the budget for an increase in the amount of compensation for members of the Brundidge Volunteer Fire Department who attend drills and work fires from $10 to $13 per drill or fire.

Thomas said that he had not made council members aware of that addition to the budget prior to the Tuesday meeting.

The council agreed to include the additional library employee and the increase in compensation to the firefighters in the budget.

Dixie Shehane represented members of the community who oppose the addition of 30 to 39 additional parking spaces at Brundidge Station.

Shehane requested that the city’s plans for additional parking spaces be reconsidered and that the entire area be made into a park.

“We feel like the way Brundidge is heading right now we should do something to make it a destination,” Shehane said. “We want Brundidge to be a place that will be attractive to residents and visitors. A park would make our downtown a destination and I think other organizations would help us accomplish our goal.”

The council member did not respond when asked by Mayor Jimmy Ramage for any comments.

Margaret Ross asked whether the city’s intention was to make the area into a parking lot rather than a park.

Ramage said the action the council has already taken will stand.

However, Jeffrey Baker asked the council to reconsider the paving project.

“I have looked at the site and it would be a good place for a pavilion or maybe a water garden,” he said. “I would be willing to help do the work and even donate $100 to the project. All that is required to make this area a place we can all be proud of is a little creative thinking.”

Again the council members had no comment. Ramage reported that the revenue commissioner’s office has a satellite office at the newly renovated former doctor’s building on South Main Street and staffed it on Tuesday.

Ramage said having satellite offices for the revenue commissioner and the probate judge at that location will be beneficial to local citizens. Thomas reported that seven stray dogs have been taken off the streets recently and the city is working diligently to alleviate the problem of abandoned and neglected animals in town.

The stray dogs that are taken off the streets are taken to a local veterinarian to, “hopefully” be adopted. If not, they are euthanized, the mayor said.

The Brundidge City Council will have an open meeting to discuss the city’s strategic plan on Oct. 18. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.