Denmark City Council members gave unanimous first reading approval to their 2012 proposed “balanced” budget at their regular monthly meeting Monday night May 16, in the Walter E. Brooker Center. The City of Denmark’s proposed General Fund Budget for 2012 is $1,195,500 and the proposed Water and Sewer Fund Budget for 2012 is $1,081,000. Council member Bonnie Love wanted to know if fire hoses for the fire department was in the budget. Administrator Heyward Robinson informed Love that fire hoses had been budgeted for. Denmark Mayor Dr. Gerald E. Wright noted that the City’s fiscal year ran from July 1 until June 30.

Also during the meeting:

• In the City’s Financial Report, City Finance Director Rusty Munoz reported for the first 10 months of the fiscal year “most things are in line.” Munoz noted that property tax revenues are “substantially less” (down 21.7 percent) “not because property values are down, but because payments have been slow”. He added that “expenditures were in line with the budget.” Council member Hope Long-Weldon wanted to know what fringe benefits entailed. Munoz informed her that fringe benefits included items like insurance, social security benefits and retirement.

• Police Chief Leroy Grimes reported the department created 116 new cases for the month. Chief Grimes said the Denmark Police Department needed help in apprehending the subjects responsible for vandalism of AC/Heating & Cooling units in the City.

• Fire Chief Charles Breland reported the fire department had a “slow month” with seven fire calls. The Chief stated the department was having a problem with people burning household trash in the City, which he noted was against the law. Chief Breland also informed Council members because of the high price of gasoline and the large number of false alarms attendance at fire calls has become a problem.

Asked if the Denmark Fire Department receives assistance from other departments in the county, Chief Breland noted that if it is a “county run or zone run” other departments will come. Council member Rev. Rufus Jamison stated that the volunteer firefighters should be paid when they respond to any call. Council member Hope Long-Weldon asked the Chief if the volunteers understood when they came on board they were unpaid and she was told yes.

• Mayor Wright said again this summer the City of Denmark is in the process providing summer programs for the youth. The City is hoping to use the swimming pool at Voorhees College with the final details to be finalized.

• Mayor Wright presented Police Chief Leroy Grimes with a certificate for completing Police Chief School Training and recognized Chief Grimes for being presented the Denmark Technical College Service Award at the college’s recent graduation exercises.

• Council member Bervay Carter reported the City’s recent Dogwood Festival was a success.

• In the public comments portion of the meeting; Vic Whetstone asked about the status of the county-wide water and sewer project. Mayor Wright said he did not think a third reading in the S.C. Senate had been held yet and noted a letter was sent to Senator Brad Hutto.

“Rev Rufus Jamison said that he had spoken with Rep. Bakari Sellers who said it (the county-wide water and sewer project) was “a good deal.” Jamison “I think it is a good idea to get people better water and sewer service.”