The Union City

Council presented its new budget proposal for fiscal year 2003-2004 at

its monthly meeting July 15th. City Administrator Alan Grindstaff said

"there were no major changes" this time around.

The $19 million

budget proposal is "up only slightly," from last year's budget.

This year's budget increased about $100,000 from last year.

"We organized

more for management." Grindstaff pointed out.

The biggest

chunk, 52 percent and nearly $10 million, covers operating costs, salaries

and benefits for the water and sewer department, sanitation department

and the correctional institution.

The town's

$8.4 million general fund, which includes everything from police and fire

department expenditures to administration, municipal court, records and

street costs takes up another 44 percent of the overall amount.

The remaining

4 percent, just over $700,000, goes for special revenues such as bulletproof

vests, hotel/motel tax and motor vehicle excise tax.

The new budget

will be voted on at the Aug.19 City Council meeting.