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LCDA proposes smaller budget
tradeport entrance
Clearing and wetland repair at Tradeport East Business Park would get $1.5 million in the proposed 2015 LCDA budget.

The Liberty County Development Authority Finance Committee Friday discussed a proposed 2015 budget that is nearly $1 million less than the current year’s spending plan.
Carmen Cole, director of administration and finance, presented the proposed general operations budget of $6,909,041, a decrease of $957,146 from this year’s budget, to the committee. She said the decrease is attributable to $1.6 million spent in debt service.
The bulk of the development authority’s revenue — just over $2 million — comes from property taxes.
Administrative expenses total $1,351,063, including $346,765 in salaries and wages, a $5,000 increase from last year.
Major expenditures include $1.5 million allocated for Tradeport East clearing and grading improvements, mostly wetland repair. The committee agreed to prioritize improvements and repairs before presenting the budget to the board Monday.
The water and sewer operations budget, which is separate from the general fund, totals $406,029. Major expenses include $150,000 for repairs and maintenance of Midway Park, including $60,000 for a new screen, $43,836 for meter replacements and $20,000 for chlorination repairs.
The authority meets at 8 a.m. Monday to vote on the budget. The meeting will be at the LCDA office.


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