The City of Argo announced coming in under budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 and is in the process of preparing a budget for FY 2013.

The city’s budget for FY 2012 was more than $ 928,000, and the city is looking at a budget of $831,500 as of Sept. 19.

“This is a major accomplishment given all of the economic problems everyone is having,” Mayor Paul Jennings said.

But the current number is expected to increase as the city is still in the process of preparing the FY13 budget.  The city plans to extend FY12 budget through the end of October.

“By statute we should have a finalized budget by Oct. 1,” Councilman Bill Rutledge said. “But in the six years I have been here, that has never happened.  It is my personal preference to present a prepared budget as best we can, extend the current budget through the end of October and let the new council make the final decision.”

Mayor Jennings plans to send out a preliminary FY13 budget via email to the current council sometime in the next 10 days for review at the next council meeting.  Argo has a preliminary budget for the police department and still needs one for the fire department.

Mayor Jennings is also requesting the city allot funding in the new budget for zoning supplies and expenses. In the previous year, the city reserved $1,000 for grant writing they did not use and the mayor requested the city put that to use in another fund for the upcoming year.

To save money the city is also planning to change municipal court dates beginning Jan. 1.  Municipal Judge Carl Chamblee suggested court dates be changed to the first and third Friday of the month at 1 p.m.  Municipal court is now held the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 4 p.m.

“By having court during the day, we don’t have to pay our city clerks overtime, and I’m sure that’s time they would rather spend with their families,” Mayor Jennings said.

The city plans to create room in the budget to hire a part-time clerk to cover the phones on Friday afternoons since both full time clerks will be assisting with court.

In other discussion at Wednesday’s council meeting:

—The city is accepting letters of interest for Municipal Judge, Municipal Prosecutor and Public Defender for the upcoming term. The council will discuss letters of interest the first council meeting in November.

—Mayor Jennings requested members of the council for the upcoming term attend the Alabama League of Municipalities Newly Elected Officials Orientation Nov. 14.  Officials will have the opportunity to learn about new laws and guidelines and information about government programs for municipalities.