It will be a full agenda Thursday night as Fayetteville City Council looks to approve the 2008 budget and increases in the water and sewer rate and considers two annexation requests near Piedmont Fayette Hospital.

The 2008 General Fund budget is proposed at $10,117,568, a 4.26 percent increase over the current year. Sales tax revenues are expected to increase by 5 percent as are property taxes at 7.5 percent due to growth and reassessments, said Finance Director Lynn Robinson.

Meantime, city finance staff recommended maintaining the current 2.99 millage rate. The value of a mill is estimated at $892,334 based on the 7.5 percent increase.

Proposed new staff positions, all budgeted for six months, include three full-time firefighters, a public works facility coordinator, a part-time human resources administrative assistant and two police department employees, including a school resource officer and a support services staff.

Water and sewer is proposed to add three and one-half positions, including one stormwater position, one wastewater operator, a maintenance worker and one part-time customer service representative that would convert to full-time.

The council will also consider a second water and sewer rate increase in as many years. A breakdown of the proposed rate structure shows the residential cost for water at $15.85 for the 2,000 gallon base rate in 2007 going to $17.40 in 2008. Water prices for seniors, with a base rate set at 3,000 gallons, would go from $13.87 this year to $15.23 in 2008. Commercial water rates are currently $25 for the first 2,000 gallons and are proposed to increase to $29.50.

Sewer rates will see a similar increase, with the base residential rate going from $14 in 2007 to $15.50 in 2008. Sewer rates for seniors in 2007 are $12.20 and proposed at $15.23 next year. Commercial sewer rates will also increase from the current base at $25 to $27.50 in 2008.

Also on the agenda are rezoning requests along medical alley on Ga. Highway 54 West. The Dogwood Forest proposal concerns a 46,000 square-foot facility located on 4.87 acres at 1297 Hwy. 54 West. The annexation would provide the ability to connect to the city’s sewer system.

Another proposal, brought by Group VI, owners of the 3.85-acre site, involves the construction of a 40,000 square-foot, three-story medical office building at 1231 Hwy. 54 West. The building is expected to serve as tenant space for professional practices wanting to locate near the hospital. Both annexation and rezoning requests were approved by Highway 54/Hospital Area Study group.

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