ELBERTA, Ala. — The better part of Tuesday’s Elberta Town Council Workshop was taken up by former town clerk Sandy Germany’s questioning of the town’s proposed 2014-2015 budget.

“I don’t leave this town high and dry,” she told the Council. “I’m worried about us.”

Germany, who retired as town clerk in August, explained that she had asked for a copy of the financial proposal, which was to be addressed at Tuesday’s Council Meeting, in advance. Then she went through each listing of the budget to ask questions.

With town leaders’ approval she was granted the documents, which both the Alabama League of Municipalities and Alabama Ethics Commission deem public record.

Establishment of that budget was headed up by Councilman John Conti, who took office this summer upon the resignation of Don Koontz. According to financial documents, the budget anticipates an income of $1,407,850 and expenditures of $1,386,289.50. Conti explained that the budget allows for a 10-percent aggregate or savings cushion.

“I don’t think you’re going to get that much revenue,” Germany at the workshop.

Conti said he arrived at those figures by evaluating last year’s actual budget numbers, as well as both revenue and expenditures in the upcoming year.

However, Germany repeated her skepticism, adding that in the past, the budget had been developed differently.

“Just because the mayor hasn’t done something in the past doesn’t mean we won’t do it in the future,” Conti said.

“At this particular point, I feel comfortable with what we will have,” Elberta Mayor Marvin Williams said.

He voiced confidence in the figures. However, he said that if things changed, the Council would revisit the budget to make cuts.

“Marvin, you’ve never cut a budget after it’s been established,” Germany said.

“He never had me on the Council before,” Conti retorted.

The budget passed with Council Members Michael Hudson and Alma Doege voting against it.

Following that vote, Hudson and Conti opposed “Exhibit A,” which included a list of proposed employee salary increases.

After the meeting, both Hudson and Conti explained their dissenting votes on the raises.

“I’m not on the Personnel Committee or the Finance Committee,” Hudson said, adding that he was not comfortable with approving raises.

Conti said that from perspective of the Finance Committee, his vote was in effort to keep the town’s finances on budget.

Also, the Council voted to establish a speaking policy for future Council workshops and meetings. That policy will require those who wish to address the Council to sign up in advance at Town Hall and to limit their comments to between three and five minutes.