The Smithville city council adopted the 2011-12 budget Monday night on second and final reading following a public hearing in which no member of the public took the podium to discuss the plan.The newly approved budget totals $6,113,511, and contains for no water or sewer rate increases.Mayor Taft Hendrixson appointed Norris Colvert to complete the term of Donnie Driver, who recently resigned from the planning commission.The Aldermen voted 3-1 to appoint Colvert to the post, with Steve White excusing himself from the vote, saying he had a conflict of interest.Cecil Burger, Aaron Meeks, and Shawn Jacobs all voted for Colvert. Alderman W.J. (Dub) White cast a “no” vote.Meanwhile, the council voted to pay a grant writer to help obtain a FEMA grant to purchase a ladder truck and equipment for the fire department.Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker asked the aldermen to hire Johnny Robertson to write the grant.Parker told the assembly that Robertson has an impeccable record in helping fire departments obtain grants."He has been writing grants for a little while. So far, he has done seven grants that he has been responsible for writing, either in whole or in part, and with all seven he has been successful in receiving grants from FEMA. He has also served on the committee that reviews the grants so he has a very good working knowledge of what they're looking for.