By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Marion city council members Monday began looking at budget priorities for the coming fiscal year with a review of the ways the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting revenue.

City administrator Roger Holter said city utility revenues saw a large drop for commercial electricity use, which was offset by an increase in residential electricity use.

Compared to a year ago, billing is down $6,485.

“On the utility side of it, it looks like we’re going to be OK,” Holter said.

Sales tax collections are down, but next month will give the city a better picture of the effect on Marion, Holter said.

“We’re going to be facing a little bit of revenue challenges going into it overall,” he said.

Holter said 21% of city spending is on public safety. Parks and recreation expenses are a close second.

“We need to get started thinking what our priorities are,” Holter said.

Mayor David Mayfield said repairs to electrical service need to be taken care of.

A governor’s executive order reopening the state in three phases means Marion city council meetings will continue to have an attendance limit of 10 people in the meeting room at one time.

“The community center we still won’t be able to open until phase three,” Holter said.

Phase three of the governor’s plan is tentatively expected to begin June 1.