Guyton’s city council members and department heads met on Jekyll Island over the past weekend to work out details of the fiscal year 2007-08 budget.

Mayor Michael Garvin wanted each department’s budget to be cut by 3 to 5 percent. The department heads worked to meet this new target.

“Everyone cooperated,” noted Councilman Phillip King.

In addition, the council tried to find money in order to hire a city manager and building inspector. The full-time position would be a combination of the two job duties. According to King, the council was able to find the needed funds in the budget.

The money needed to fund one full-time firefighter is available in the budget. In six months the council will review the budget again to determine if they can continue with the position.

Council members agreed to review the budget on a semi-annual basis from now on to move things around to meet their goals without affecting the bottom line, according to King.

“I think we got it all basically completed,” he added.

A hearing to consider the budget is listed on tonight’s council meeting agenda. A vote to approve the budget will be held following the budget hearing.