“I will not be coming back in August with any changes.” Those were the words of Peachtree City Councilman Eric Imker stating his satisfaction on July 16 after a public hearing on the city’s $33.5 million budget for FY 2016.
Following a consensus at the July 8 workshop, the council again on July 16 heard details of the $33.519 million budget that includes no tax rate millage increase, no across the board employee raises and the use of a more conservative $769,000 in reserves to bolster needed paving expenses.
Aside from a discussion on the amount of money to be allocated for street work, the budget workshops and public hearing were a marked departure from a year ago when Imker produced a wealth of data aimed at reducing spending.
Though the millage rate will not increase, three public hearings will be held in August since the budget includes a tax increase due to an increase in property values.
That means that if your property increased in value over last year, you will pay more money even if the tax rate stays the same.
Street resurfacing was a major factor in determining the budget numbers. As selected, the $33.5 million budget, which includes the allocation of $769,000 in reserves, will provide $2 million for resurfacing projects.
As it stands today, the budget will provide for an additional $225,000 for cart path work bringing that total to $665,000, some of which could be offset by the increase in cart registration fees which will be raised to an annualized figure of $15.
The council at previous meetings had agreed that the budget would not include an across the board employee pay increase, though it will include items such as adding one detective position in the police department and $114,000 in employee merit increases.
There was only one question from the public on the proposed budget.
