SILVERHILL, Alabama — Silverhill Police Chief Kim Wasdin raised concerns at Monday night’s council meeting after saying she was left out of this year’s budget process.

“You passed the budget tonight and that was news to me,” she said. “I know I am just a ‘department head’ but I consider it my job to provide protection for this town, and how am I supposed to know if my department is getting everything it needs if I am not involved in the budget process?”

Town council members unanimously passed a balanced budget for fiscal year 2015-16 with identical projected revenues and expenses projected at just over $1.3 million, an increase of about $50,000 over last year’s projected budget.

Included in this year’s budget are expenses for the police department totaling $171,403.86, including a budgeted salary increase of $400 for the police chief, and salaries for two fulltime and two part-time patrol officers, with a budgeted increased expense of $11,530.

In the past, a grant had provided funds for an additional officer, but when that grant ran out, Wasdin said she was told that there was not money in the budget for an additional officer and that it would have to be considered for a future budget.

“That budget has come and gone and we are still short-handed,” Wasdin said. “I really don’t know how much longer I can go working the hours that I am working to make up for it.”

Also included in this year’s budget are projected police department vehicle expenses estimated at $16,700 and revenues from the police department projected at $2,000.

At its Sept. 21 meeting, the council approved repair expenses for the vehicle used to transport the department’s canine officer, Marley.

Tax revenue topped the list of income for the town, with totals projected at $407,111.57, including a projected $130,582 in sales tax for 2015-16, followed by utility fund revenues of $396,800; municipal court revenues of $164350; volunteer fire department revenues of $156,280 and general fund revenues of $130,582.

Additional revenue included, Community Center, $7,025; Little Hall, $4,525; Heritage Day, $7,970; library, $7,260; Parks & Recreation, $5,550; state gas tax, $11,045.

Utility fund expenses total a projected $429,754 for 2015-16, followed by general fund expenses of $364,365.27; and municipal court expenses of $132,475.

Additional expenses included volunteer fire department, $63,125; Heritage Day, $6,700; Utility Fund vehicle, $8,000; General Fund vehicle, $5,150; Parks & Recreation, $18,700; state gas tax, $8,175; library, $16,050; Sanitation & Street Department, $22,250; mayor and council, $19,200; Community Center, $11,750; and Save the Little Hall, $6,700.

Wasdin also expressed concern over enforcing the town’s business license fees.

“I spend a lot of time tracking down people who are not paying the proper business license fee, and I think there needs to be some type of fine in place for those who are not paying it when they are supposed to,” she said. “Why should someone who pays their business license fee like they are supposed to have to pay the same as someone who doesn’t?”

Concerns were also expressed at Monday’s meeting about enforcement of changes made to the town’s garbage ordinance.

At the town’s Sept. 21 meeting Wasdin and Utility Clerk Amy Macon discussed with the council obstacles and challenges faced in enforcing the ordinance.

“I just think if we’re not going to be able to enforce it as it is written, then we need to consider changing it,” said Council member Jared Lyles.

In other business Monday, the council approved an amendment to the town’s Code of Ordinances, in the section pertaining to Court and Criminal Procedures, adding a section on a Pre-Trial Intervention program for the town.

The program, which was created by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 2013, is similar to an ordinance drafted by Robertsdale City Attorney Ken Raines, who is also the town’s Municipal Judge.

Under the ordinance, first-time offenders or those who could be designated as non-habitual offenders, could qualify for diversion, which means they would pay a fee and be sentenced to serve some type of community service. In exchange, the arrest would be expunged from their record.

Mike Dassinger, the town’s court prosecutor, spoke to council members at the Sept. 21 meeting and would be charged with overseeing the program.

The council voted unanimously first to suspend the rules for immediate passage, then adopt the ordinance by roll-call vote. In both cases, Lyles, an attorney, abstained from voting.

The council also tabled action on an amendment to the town’s sign ordinance and tabled a request from business owner Peggy Davis to install a sign on one of the four corners at the intersection of Highway 104 and County Road 55.