The budget still contains no tax increase, building permit increases, employee layoffs, furloughs or pay cuts, said Mayor Larry Bagwell before the vote.
“We’re holding our head above water,” he said. “It’s a good budget, we think. We’re glad that those things have been able to be accomplished on first reading.”
Council voted unanimously, with Councilman Dave Watson absent, to approve the budget on second reading.
No one signed up to speak on the budget during a public hearing on the budget held before the vote.
Council also voted unanimously to approve naming the gazebo in the city’s new downtown park after former mayor Chris Christopherson.
The park and gazebo was unveiled last month, and Bagwell said more people are discovering the park.
“I have heard nothing but good about the park,” he said.
This year’s July 4 celebration will be a three-day fest held over the entire July 4 weekend, culminating in a fireworks show the night of Independence Day.
The July 4th celebration will be held on Pendleton Street and Old Market Square July 2-July 4.
Festival favorites The Flashbacks, who recently performed at Easley’s Music on the Market series, will return for the July 4 celebration.
Fireworks are scheduled to begin 9:45 p.m. Sunday, July 4, said Scott Buckhiester of Dunburk’s Premier Events, the firm in charge of overseeing Easley’s special events.
This year’s festival will also feature kiddie rides, said City Administrator Fox Simons.
In other news, council also approved recognizing the month of May as National Bike Month and proclaiming May 17-21 as Bike to Work week.
“This is something we’re very interested in, bikes in Easley,” Bagwell said, adding that the city is making progress on establishing bike lanes in Easley.
Councilman Chris Mann agreed, stating the city has made substantial progress in the year and a half since resident Christine de Vlaming approached the city to request the look into becoming more bike-friendly.
“We’re starting to see the fruits of our labor,” Mann said.
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