Thorsby’s town council has passed a $1.74 million budget for the current fiscal year.

The council adopted a temporary budget on Oct. 15 because of the absence of then-mayor Dearl Hilyer, who was out of work battling an illness and would later pass.

The temporary budget was in the amount of $1.98 million and was an extension of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

Fiscal Year 2013’s budget is about $234,000 less than last year’s budget because the 2012 budget included a line item for a matching grant for a bridge replacement project that has been completed.

A bridge on Medical Center Drive has been replaced.

“It wouldn’t carry the school bus and heavy trucks, so it was totally replaced,” Mayor Jean Nelson said.

The current budget was passed Nov. 19, the first full meeting with Nelson presiding as mayor.

The new budget includes the same amount for most departments as last year’s budget. The police department’s budget was up somewhat because Chief Rodney Barnett told the council about the department’s need for a new vehicle because the fleet is aging.

Thorsby’s other departments include administration, fire, streets and sidewalks, parks, shop, garbage, and water and sewer.

The council’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Thorsby Annex.