Corrections to a major error discovered by City Clerk Mike Jinks in a Brookhaven Board of Alderman work session Tuesday could have a major impact on the proposed budget’s current deficit.

According to Jinks, employees paid weekly are set to receive a 3-percent raise, while employees paid biweekly are set to receive a raise of 2 percent.

In addition, 25 percent of the 2- and 3-percent raises will be added to account for Social Security, but Jinks said that the addition was incorrectly applied to the entire salary.

“That’s going to make a big difference,” Jinks said.

Jinks was hesitant to give an estimate on how much this will affect the budget, but Mayor Joe Cox, who could be seen crunching numbers at the meeting, said the difference will be significant — possibly resulting in a reduction of over $100,000 in the deficit, which sits at about $826,000.

Ward 6 Alderman David Phillips suggested several other changes to drop the deficit, including a 50 cent increase in water, sewer and garbage fees, along with dropping a request by Fire Chief Tony Weeks for three additional certified firefighters from the budget.

“We need to cut things if we’re 800 plus over budget,” Cox said. “This is a good place to start.”

Aldermen, however, plan to allocate $21,000 to the Brookhaven Police Department to pay for SWAT equipment that Police Chief Bobby Bell requested at an Aug. 16 work session.

When City attorney Joe Fernald asked Phillips what he would do if Weeks had a compelling reason to hire three new employees, Phillips acknowledged that they could still be added if it becomes necessary.

“I don’t want to be Scrooge, but it’s our duty to balance these budgets,” Phillips said.

Phillips also suggested that the board divide the budget into line items for the final vote.

“At some point, we need to say who supports what and who doesn’t,” he said.

Jinks said these changes should make a significant dent in the deficit, but they are unlikely to eliminate it entirely. He also said city department heads have typically spent under their budget.

The City is expected to receive and estimated $5.7 million in sales tax revenue, Jinx said.

Cox called an end to the meeting after it was determined that the budget would need to be re-calculated for the changes made. Another work session is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday to discuss the modified budget, and a public hearing will be held to discuss the completed budget on Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m.