The Richmond Hill City Council approved Tuesday its 2011  budget and more during the regular meeting at city hall.

The 2011 general fund budget, which goes into effect Jan. 1, calls for a $65,000, or 1 percent, decrease in spending and revenues, from $6.7 million this year to about $6.64 million next year, according to city documents. The millage rate will stay that same as this year at 4.209 mills.

The solid waste, confiscated assets fund, City Center and Richmond Hill Convention and Visitors Bureau budgets, which all also go into effect on Jan. 1, were also passed on Tuesday night.

Also at the meeting, Councilman Jimmy Hires asked if council members could meet with the Wilderman Group, which is in charge of running the City Center, monthly to discuss the business plan and ways to decrease expenditures and increase revenues. Hires said he wanted the council to be more informed about what is going on at the City Center, which is expected to post big profit losses this year.  

 To find out more, pick up a copy of the Saturday edition of the Bryan County News.