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By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE | Special to the Reporter

CHELSEA – On Sept. 3, the Chelsea City Council approved the fiscal year 2025 budget and the city’s holiday calendar.

According to Mayor Pro Tempore Scott Weygand, it’s a healthy budget, with revenues totaling just over $19.8 million.

“Each department goes through their budgets and meets with (Mayor) Tony Picklesimer and then we go through it as a council,” Weygand said. “There weren’t a whole lot of cuts, but the overall growth of revenue is kind of stagnant, which is following the economy. Chelsea’s sales tax is down, as is Shelby County and other cities.”

There are some expenses that are paying for projects from the current budget cycle, including ongoing projects at Chelsea High School and Chelsea Park Elementary School.

The Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department is the city’s largest budget item at $5,817,500. Weygand said the department does an amazing job and is very busy.

General expenditures for the city totaled $3,138,897. Other items in the top five include debt service ($1,678,253) and the Parks and Recreation Department/Community Center ($1,576,500) and the Chelsea Public Library ($742,770).

Another added cost in the new budget will be for the city’s election in August 2025, which is expected to cost around $25,000, Weygand said.

In other news, the Chelsea City Council approved the following:

• The allocation of funds to complete thinning and clearing at Melrose Park.
• An annexation ordinance request for Greg and Laura Masters for 14 acres of property located at 3199 Highway 39.
• The city’s bills were also approved for payment.

The next Chelsea City Council meeting take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17.