Council members cut Risk Insurance from $45,000-$30,000 and dropped a line item for capital improvement projects all together. The elimination of capital improvement resulted in a savings of $13,500. Martin said in the last five budget years, the city has never used those funds, which typically only come into play if a major project must be completed that was unexpected.

The city did also lower its line item for street improvements – work on sidewalks, etc. – from $25,000 to $15,000. These three decreases amounted to a savings of $43,500. If the city must cut elsewhere, council members suggested not purchasing a police vehicle this year.

“Most citizens complain about how many police officers we’ve got and how may police cars we have, but they want to be safe,” said council member Johnny Carruth said. “There is a point, though, where you can have too much and it can cost you.”

According to Martin, the city will add one police officer to its force through an agreement with District One Schools. The school system has offered to pay all costs for employing one officer at Landrum High School.

Martin said she is also prepping the city for a loss of $50,000 in the 2014-2015 budget when money stops coming in from the city’s contract with Spartanburg Water.

“Luckily Landrum has been in a position over the years to put back money and have something in savings to fall back on if needed. It’s not the ideal situation but at least the city prepared itself in years past,” she said.

The total budget for 2013-2014 is projected at $1,634,884, a decrease of $17,356 from the 2012-2013 budget.

“When we estimate revenues we are extremely conservative,” said Mayor Briggs. “The revenues look like they are down a lot, but I think it is just a truer picture of what we’re going to be working with this coming year.”

The city has about four weeks left to set public hearings and approve a balanced budget prior to it taking effect on Oct. 1.