Thanks

to an accounting adjustment in the city's favor,

Peachtree City officials must decide whether to

reduce the millage rate or put a substantial

amount of unbudgeted funds into some deserving

project.

According

to a memo distributed by assistant city manager

Joe Morton for Thursday's City Council meeting,

the proposed millage rate of 4.06, which has not

changed in five years, will produce $161,221 more

revenue than what has been budgeted.

Computations

a millage rollback to 3.91 without any adverse

financial effects. A rollback to 4.00 would still

leave a $96,197 surplus.

memo from city manager Jim Basinger listed

several options for the City Council to consider

when discussing the matter tomorrow night. It had

previously been recommended that the city set the

millage at this meeting so that the county could

submit the digest to the state Revenue Department

According

to Basinger's statement, a rollback to 3.91 mills

would equate to an average homeowner tax

reduction of $8.99.

Another

option listed for consideration was allocating

the excess funds to a project in the Public

Improvement Program. Possible projects include

the restoration of the Shakerag gazebo or the

addition of a restroom facility there, expansion

of The Gathering Place, restroom and sound

platform improvements for the Frederick Brown Jr.

Amphitheater, or any of a host of other projects

from the 2000 and 2001 PIP.

The

money could also be allocated to a reserve fund

for future construction of a community center or

placed in the Council's contingency fund,

Basinger suggested.

In

other business, the City Council plans to hear

more discussion and further consider a possible

traffic impact ordinance or building moratorium

in an attempt to alleviate congestion around Ga.

highways 54 and 74. About two hours of discussion

and citizen input at the Sept. 16 meeting

produced no official action.

Also

set for consideration is a recommendation from

city staff that the city construct a cart path

tunnel across the proposed new Line Creek

Parkway, to help separate golf carts, pedestrians

and vehicle traffic in the area.

It

would be connected to the existing cart path

system and, according to city staff, provide safe

access for residents of Wynnmeade subdivision

crossing the parkway.

cost estimate of $78,000 from McCoy Grading, the

contractor for the parkway, is believed to be a

reasonable one and would be lower than other

contractors due to the fact that the company is

already working in the area and would not have to

mobilize its equipment. Staff recommends that the

city fund the $78,000 out of contingency and

execute a "sole source" contract with

McCoy Grading for the project.

The

City Council plans to once again consider a bid

proposal for property/casualty insurance at

tomorrow's meeting. Additional requested cost

estimates have been submitted, to compare with

the original figure of $54,152 in annual premiums

for a $25,000 deductible.

The

premium cost would fall to an estimated $48,000

with a $50,000 deductible or $42,500 with a

$100,000 deductible, according to city staff,

which recommends approving the original cost

estimate.

According

to reports, the city has had good luck since

becoming self-insured in 1986. The most expensive

claim during that time was in excess of $150,000

for the Palm Beach lawsuit, but the highest claim

the past four years has cost the city a

relatively low $47,544.

request for funding of playground equipment at

Peachtree City Elementary School is scheduled to

be considered by the City Council tomorrow night.

In

accordance with the ordinance passed earlier this

year, the Recreation Commission has reviewed the

project and recommends that $5,000 be provided

for it - the maximum amount allowed for a

single school under the city's new policy.

This

money would be for Phase 1 of a two-phase

project, contingent upon the school's PTO

providing the remaining funds for the first

phase. PTO vice president Jane Langley reported

to the Recreation Commission that the

organization has $9,500 available in savings and

earned more than $5,000 during September's

wrapping paper fund-raiser.

Pascal's

American Cafe has applied for an alcoholic

beverage license for Pascal's Bistro, to be

located on Commerce Drive in the space formerly

occupied by Agnes and Muriel's, which shut down

its Peachtree City operation.

Pascal

Lecorre has requested to be appointed as the

licensee and license representative, and his

application is in order for consideration by the

City Council at tomorrow's meeting.

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