The Bowdon City Council unanimously passed the city’s 2010-2011 budget Monday, but held off on its decision to move forward with a water service analysis from Johnson Controls, Inc.

The $1,925,000 budget includes no raises for city workers and a reduction in insurance expenses, including reduction in workers’ compensation insurance and property and casualty insurance costs.

The council went into executive session to further discuss a proposed contract that would allow Johnson Controls to evaluate the city’s water- and power-related operating efficiencies in city buildings and infrastructure, while primarily focusing on the city’s water meters.

Councilman Ray Garrett, who expressed concern over the $45,000 cost associated with the analysis, wanted more time to discuss the contract.

Councilman Wes McEntyre also wanted to talk about the contract more.

“I feel like we’re being strong-armed to do this,” he said.

The analysis would make recommendations on where the city could save on energy and avoid water loss. The city would not have to pay for the analysis if it found that the changes recommended would not save the city enough to cover the cost of those changes. Otherwise, the city could roll the cost of the analysis into the overall cost of the project.

The city of Bremen and the Haralson County Water Authority have already contracted with Johnson Controls and updated their water meter reading systems.

“I think it’s a benefit to the city of Bowdon,” Mayor James Watts Jr. said.

Councilwoman Betty Jones, however, said the city operates efficiently and does not need the analysis. She said the city’s staff is small and adequate and doesn’t want to put the expense on Bowdon’s citizens.

Fannie Sullivan, the sole Bowdon resident at the meeting, believes the contract would benefit the city.

“I feel you should do it,” Sullivan told the council. “There’s a change going to come. You can’t operate on 100 years ago, you got to operate on now because that’s what it’s all about. Carrollton and everybody else is going to get all the business and Bowdon is going to be left out. I want to see Bowdon move.”

Councilman Johnny Cook motioned to approve the contract, but the motion died.

In other business, the council:

• postponed Bowdon Historical Preservation nominations to look into whether the council could change the requirement that nominees live inside the city limits.