The 2010 budget and an amendment to the sign ordinance were both approved during Tuesday’s meeting of the Richmond Hill City Council.

The 2010 general fund budget, which monitors the majority of the city’s revenues and expenditures, was set at $6.7 million, which is around two percent lower than 2009.

City Finance Director Bob Whitmarsh said most departments showed a decrease in proposed expenditures, with an exception being a five percent increase for the fire department. Whitmarsh said this is due to the approval of an additional firefighter, which he said is needed due to increased calls and population increase.

Whitmarsh said the 2010 budget "is pretty tight, which it needs to be during these uncertain economic times. Just like any other city, we hope to come out of the recession in 2010, but we still wanted to be cautious because building permits and sales tax are down right now."

Read more in Saturday's Bryan County News.