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Fairburn passes new budget

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

“We are guaranteeing a balanced budget this year” City Administrator Jim Williams said at Fairburn’s city council meeting Monday evening.

The Mayor and City Council heard more comments from Fairburn’s citizens during the second public hearing on the proposed $16,605,900 budget.

Several people stepped up to get a clearer picture on the set of figures being poured over. The amount of $385,999 listed as other taxes under the general fund came under question once again as it had during the city’s first public hearing on the new budget. It was explained again that other taxes for the most part included distilled spirits taxes along with hotel/motel taxes.

Expenditures for telecommunications also came under scrutiny with one citizen asking for a definition and how the city benefits from the service. Williams explained that the vast difference between the projected revenues of $5,100 and the $245,300 worth of expenditures was due to the city’s investments in M.E.A.G. stock several years ago.

“We saw the high speed Internet access as a good investment at the time. Then the telecommunications business collapsed and it turned into a bad investment,” Williams said. Overly enthusiastic interest in burgeoning technology more suited to big business than home use was targeted as the reason for the city’s misstep.

After scrutinizing the pie charts, one citizen asked if there were any funds projected for the park. Williams said the city needed to “replenish reserve funds.”

“We are trying to build up our reserves at the same time,” he added.

Raising impact fees for developers was mentioned as one feasible solution to providing more revenue and controlling the city’s quality of growth. “What I’m looking at is the school system.” Kerry Sumner, a concerned citizen stated, “Perhaps we can encourage the developers and schools to become business partners. Schools make the community.” Sumner concluded adding that the city should not allow low to moderate housing when considering development.

“The council agrees with you 100 percent.” Mayor Hannah assured him.

Williams said that a 7.3 percent increase in revenues for the coming year was a “conservative estimate” and that the city had ended the current fiscal year with a $745,000 surplus. “We did what we had intended to do. We are looking forward to a very productive year.”

Williams said the city’s surplus funds would be used to start on the “badly needed renewal of the downtown area.”

The city’s millage rate was also up for discussion, but received little comment since it was being lowered from 6.0 to 5.75 mills. “I just hope everybody understands this means lower taxes.” Councilman Marianne Johnson pointed out. Councilman Doug Crawford motioned to pass the new rate and Johnson seconded it. It passed unanimously.

With that done, Councilman Roy Farr motioned for the new budget to be passed and Councilman Frankie Arnold seconded. The budget passed unanimously.