The Tyrone

Town Council met last Thursday night and tentatively approved a 2002-2003

budget, including the Capital Improvement Program and Sewer Enterprise

Fund, of $2,749,731.

One of the

top goals of this year's budget was that there be no increase in taxes,

town manager Barry Amos said during his presentation to the council.

There will

be no increase in property taxes this year and most of the revenue to

pay for the budget comes from the local option sales tax as well as impact

fees and property taxes, Amos said.

Tyrone has

also developed a five-year capital improvement program. On the schedule

for 2002-2003 is the street program, which would patch and resurface streets

to the tune of $60,000, some of which comes from state funding; the building

of a picnic shelter at Redwine Park for $25,000; the building of a recreation

facility on Commerce Drive behind the old building for $76,000; and the

building of two new baseball fields at Handley Park for $66,000. The two

new fields will not be equipped with lighting at this time.

Amos told the

council that over the next four years the capital improvement program

will continue to work on the streets, light two fields at Handley Park

and construct restrooms, a concession stand and a t-ball field there as

well. The town will work on Ga. Highway 74 beautification, create a triangle

bandstand, refurbish tennis courts and make multiuse paths from Handley

to Anthony Road and Pendleton subdivision.

The Wieland

subdivision in Tyrone has sewer and this is the first time that the town

has a Sewer Enterprise Fund Budget, Amos said. The revenues come from

sewer user fees and inspection fees but the largest portion ($199,460)

comes from the developer contribution. The largest expenditure is a $209,000

capital fee to Fairburn, Amos said.

The Town Council

is expected to take action on the budget at its meeting Thursday, June

20, at 7:30 p.m.