CATOOSA — Catoosa City Council members Monday night approved a $4-million budget under the leadership of Mayor Rita Lamkin, who cited the need for investment in streets, infrastructure and equipment to meet the growing city’s needs. The Council also voted not to appeal a decade-old application by the Cherokee Nation to put seven acres of fee land into trust at 161st East Avenue and I-44.

The $4-million budget includes $300,000 for a ladder truck for the fire department, $600,000 for streets, and over $50,000 for parks.

“The city has not invested in itself in a long time,” said Lamkin. “If you want progress for this town, you’ve got to spend. We’ve got to start going out into the neighborhoods and fixing the streets.”

Council members Sandy Meyers and Robert Brown worked on the budget with Lamkin. CPA Jeff Kolker said based on revenue, the city has up to $5 million to budget this fiscal year.

Vice Mayor Mike Appel questioned whether a ladder truck for the fire department should be budgeted or if that money should remain in the Emergency Reserve fund until a truck is found.

The $300,000 allotted for the truck would be a down payment. Used ladder trucks cost upward of $500,000, according to figures supplied by Fire Chief Denus Benton last year.

The money is not earmarked for the truck, and Appel expressed concern it would be spent for other things.

Lamkin and Kolker said all expenditures must be approved by the Council.

“Watch your expenditures and see where you’re at month by month,” said Kolker.

Meyers said she believes the money being held in the emergency reserve fund is adequate under the budget.

“We need to show we’re using it (revenue) for the city,” said Meyers.

One of the biggest increases on this year’s budget is the estimated cost for road expenditures. Last year’s budget allotted $100,000 to roads, said Lamkin. This year’s budget allows $600,000.