NOLANVILLE (September 30, 2009)—Nolanville city leaders say they see the light at the end of the financial tunnel after a new budget was approved Tuesday night.

"It’s going to be a tight year, but i think it looks great," said Nolanville Mayor Emma McCullough.

That budget, a trimmed down $871,401, was a move some city leaders said was long overdue.

"I think we're doing what should've been done years ago. You can't keep counting money you don't have," said Nolanville City Councilman Skip Matthews.

There are new checks and balances to make sure the financial fiasco does not happen again including a switch to a new accounting system, not taking out any more loans and hiring a part-time bookkeeper.

“There was a lot of errors we weren't aware of until we switched to this new system. Every day, our new finance person finds something else that quick books was messing up,” McCullough said

Two police officers and a public works employee who were laid off as a cost saving measure this summer are also expected to be re-hired early next year, after income from property taxes is deposited in the city’s account.

"If we stick to it for a solid year, actually 18 months would be great. I think we'll be OK,” McCullough said.

The budget also includes $18,000 for the Volunteer Fire Department, which Nolanville VFD Chief Carmen Galindo said she appreciates.

"We're starting to get along a little better. Everyone's working together instead of working for one." Galindo said.