GRATIS — Officials in the Village of Gratis have drafted a proposed budget for 2019, which shows a starting general fund balance of $-61,364.79.

According to Mayor David Johnston, this is due to former Clerk Donna Hicks never entering revenues into the system. He added, according to Temporary Contracted Clerk Becky Wilson, there are no negatives in the village’s books.

The village held the required public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 7. This gave residents an opportunity to review the proposed budget and ask any questions they might have. Now, this budget has to sit for 10 days before council can approve it.

For 2019, the proposed budget shows a beginning General Fund balance of $-61,364.79. The total revenue is $166,900 with expenditures of $105,440.

The Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund has a beginning balance of $-10,355.67. Total revenue is $40,660 with $18,585 in expenditures.

The State Highway Fund has a beginning balance of $2,671.61. Total revenue is $4,515 with $6,480 in expenditures.

The Parks and Recreation Fund has a beginning balance of $-9,755.77. Total revenue is $9,800 with no expenditures.

The Summer-fest Fund has a beginning balance of $115, with $125 in revenues and $200 in expenditures.

The Fire District Fund has a beginning balance of $-19,444.17. Total revenue $99,500 and $79,855 in expenditures.

The EMS Fund has a beginning balance of $-193,318. Total revenue is $326,500 and $132,900 in expenditures.

The Beautification Fund has a beginning balance of $-5,521.02. Total revenue is $5,600 with no expenditures.

The Water Operating Fund has a beginning balance of $-11,729.47. Total revenue is $97,000 and no expenditures.

The Sewer Operating Fund has a beginning balance of $99,690.98. Total revenue is $92,000 and no expenditures.

The Trash Fund has a beginning balance of $-47,315.58. Total revenue is $75,000 and no expenditures.

The Water Service Fund has a beginning balance of $14,003.80. Total revenue is $76,000 and no expenditures.

The Sewer Debt Service Fund has a beginning balance of $18,679.14. Total revenue is $75,000 and no expenditures.

The Water Reserve Fund has a beginning balance of $3,749.43, with no revenues or expenditures.

The Other Agency Fund has a beginning balance of $1,696.19, with no revenues or expenditures.

“We found out that our clerk never put anything in the system for 2018. Some of the expenditures were put in, but none of the revenues,” Johnston said. “A lot of this is going off of the averages of 2016 and 2017, with a little bit of a bump, because prices have gone up.

“[Becky Wilson] has been working here every day, trying to get everything else straightened out. All I can tell you is, this is what they told us to have a hearing on,” Johnston said. “Whatever we can do to try and get it done, so we don’t lose our funding, we are going to try to do. We’re not allowed to make any decisions or anything tonight, all we are allowed to do is hold this hearing and try to answer your questions,” Johnston told those attending the meeting.