Houston Facing Cash Crunch

HOUSTON, Miss. (AP) – The city of Houston in north Mississippi is looking at a projected deficit of $251,536 in September when the fiscal year ends.

Mayor Stacey Parker tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (http://bit.ly/1CvzHTn ) says the shortfalls are being projected in the city general fund and in the water and sewer budget.

Parker is suggesting the city use a combination of tax and water/sewer rate increases coupled with a reduction in city services.

Parker says the city needs a sustained $200,000 increase in annual water/sewer revenue to sustain current needs. He says a tax increase of 3 mills would raise $75,000

Parker has proposed the city stop picking up limbs, leaves and rubbish as one cost-cutting measure. He also says the city could go from twice-a-week garbage pickup to once-a-week.