The City of Landrum approved the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget during their May city council meeting. No tax increase for residents of Landrum is expected in the budget.

City Administrator Caitlin Cothran presented the projected budget in April for the first reading. The budget has been determined to be $1,483,809.95 for the next fiscal year. This budget sees an increase of 0.28 percent from $1,479,659.95 this year.

A public hearing on the budget was also held during the city council meeting on May 10, according to Cothran. The budget was then finalized and approved by city council members.

Highlights for the 2016-2017 budget include increasing the capital project expenses from the 2015-2016 fiscal year approximately five times for upcoming projects in the City of Landrum like sidewalks, public restrooms and a new parking lot contract that has been approved in conjunction with Operation Hope.

According to Cothran, the new budget includes up to $40,733.29 to be spent on capital projects. This is up from $8,000 this year.

An upcoming parking lot project will cost $17,000 to fill with gravel and an additional $15,000 to pave and will be leased to the city by Operation Hope near S. Church and S. Shamrock Avenues.

The funds for this project are derived from the capital expenses line item from the general revenue, which includes funds like property taxes, business licenses, ticket payments, tax reimbursements and zoning and permitting fees, according to Cothran.

A Parks and Recreational Development grant is being sought out by Cothran to pay for the public restrooms in downtown Landrum and she said it would cost more than $32,000, but could not give a definitive price as of yet.

Cothran also added the sidewalk pedestrian plan funding, as part of the city’s 10-year development plan, will be coming from the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the Spartanburg County Transportation Commission and Landrum’s road fee money.

This project, overseen by Alta Planning and Design, Inc. out of Greenville, S.C., in conjunction with the City of Landrum, will determine the potential for new sidewalks to be added in the downtown area.

The new budget includes an increase in salary from $47,000 to $49,000 for Cothran.  There is no raise for Mayor Robert Briggs or members of city council.

The radio system for the police department is budgeted to be $2,000 more compared to $4,000 this current year. Landrum Police Chief Tim Edgens said this is because he is looking into upgrading his police radio equipment.

An additional $5,000 has been allocated for fines and forfeits, up from $35,000 to $40,000.

The new budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year will begin on July 1.