DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne City Council at a special meeting Friday adopted an ordinance to extend the 2008 fiscal year budget.

The motion carried unanimously with six members present; Councilman Ron Scott was absent.

“The council extended the authority of the 2008 budget to continue essential operating functions”—such as paying departmental expenditures, Finance Director Kim Briley said.

“We’re not required by law to have a budget,” City Clerk David Cohen said. “If you have a budget, you have to have a 10 percent reserve.”

The council will review the 2009 budget in its Thursday work session, according to Briley.

The 2009 fiscal year began Oct. 1, Briley said.

City Council President Greg Burnam said the council will further discuss this issue at its work session set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.

“We can move some items on the (Thursday) agenda back,” Burnam said.

A motion to suspend the rules to extend the 2008 budget failed to garner a unanimous vote at the council meeting

Tuesday night. The vote was 6-1 with Councilman August Palumbo casting the lone dissenting vote.