Texarkana gives OK to ’13 budget

TEXARKANA — The Texarkana city budget was approved recently after questions about rising costs and some programs’ funding being cut to keep a finance position.

While no one spoke during the public hearing to receive comments on the budget, Ward 1 Director Ruth Penney Davis had some questions.

Davis questioned the large jump in marketing and communications expenditures from 2012 to 2013.

In 2012, the department had an estimated expenditure of $22,299, and in 2013, the proposed expenditure is $120,919.

Finance Director Jessica Hyman said the jump comes from the full-year salary of marketing director Charlotte Hartwell, which is paid by the Advertising and Promotion Commission, as well as the transfer of Eric Ethridge from the city clerk’s department to media manager.

The commission gives tax revenue from hotels and restaurants to agencies that promote economic development and tourism.

Hartwell was hired about midway through 2012.

The Board of Directors approved the 2013 budget in a 5-2 vote, with Davis and Ward 2 Director Laney Harris objecting.

Also at last week’s meeting, Hyman presented budget changes she made to accommodate keeping the grants administrator position with increased salary and fringe benefits of $46,725.