"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.