Friday, September 27, 2002

Tax hike decision to be made Monday

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Fairburn's citizens will have one last shot to speak next week about the proposed property tax hike in the city.

City administrator Jim Williams explained at last Monday night's City Council meeting that this year's $13.1 million budget would require a 33 percent tax hike, from 4.5 mils to 6 mils.

Property owners with a $100,000 home could expect a $60 yearly increase in their property tax bills, while owners of a $200,000 home will see a $120 increase.

Additionally, the city's water rates will also increase. For the first 2,000 gallons of usage, the rate increases from $11 to $15. For each additional thousand gallons of use, the rate jumps from $2.48 per thousand to $2.73.

Williams said customers who use 10,000 gallons of water each month would see a $6 increase in their water bill.

The final part of balancing this year's budget is taking $150,000 from the reserve fund.

When it came time to comment on the budget, only Councilman Harvey Melear had an opinion.

"I don't like what we spent last year. We had an $11 million budget and put $450,000 in the bank," he said.

Williams said the increase in this year's budget is due to bonds on the city's water treatment facility and an expansion of cable operations.

The City Council will make a final decision on the budget at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.