VIDALIA — Vidalia city officials are expected to adopt a $35-million budget in July that projects a $60,000 surplus at the end of the year.

The budget projects $35 million in expenses and $35.06 million in revenues.

“This is the most involved I have been with any budget,” Mayor Hyram Copeland said. “If we think we might go over, we can always amend the budget. We are also putting in corrective measures to ensure we don’t go over our budget again.”

Copeland said he must approve all purchases more than $100 to prevent future mistakes. Copeland, accountant Ashley Anderson and City Clerk Vicki Byrnes will also review each department’s monthly expenses.

The largest stream of revenue accounted for in the budget is from the Sidney A. Murray Hydroelectric Plant at $13.3 million. The city is projected to pay $12 million to purchase the plant’s power.

Anderson said her projection was an average of past years.

Vidalia residents are also projected to contribute more than $10 million in fees for utilities.

“Our utility system is unique because we own it,” Copeland said. “It is an important revenue source in our budget.”

The “other revenue” section, which includes police tickets and other fines, is predicted to generate $5.5 million, the third most of any category, Anderson said.

Though the city expects $10 million in capital outlay funds for port construction — $5 million in priority 1 and $5 million in priority 5 — Anderson only budgeted to receive and spend $3.2 million.

Copeland said $3.2 million is the estimated cost of the next phase of port construction — to raise and extend the port’s access road and add a cargo ramp.

Capital outlay funds, part of House Bill 2, are ranked from priority 1 to priority 5. Priority 1 is available for immediate use and priority 5 will be awarded later. Gov. Bobby Jindal must approve the capital outlay budget before funds are awarded.

Copeland said he would request more money from capital outlay funds when necessary.

Though Copeland was optimistic about many areas of the budget, he said the convention center is projected to run on a $260,755 deficit.

“I’m not worried about the deficit,” he said. “It serves an important purpose. It is a community center, and it’s a hurricane evacuation center.”

The city’s general fund is projected to end the 2013-2014 year with approximately $5 million negative balance. Employee salaries are projected to drain the most from the general fund — $5.06 million.

Anderson said surpluses in other accounts would cover the general fund’s deficit.

Vidalia marketing director Sheri Rabb described the city’s previous budget problems as growing pains.

“We have had problems as we learn to deal with a larger budget,” Rabb said. “Our motto says it, we are a city on the move.”

The Vidalia Board of Aldermen will have a special public meeting at 6 p.m., July 1 to adopt the budget.