As in other municipalities across Georgia and America, Fayetteville City Council members are set to continue their dollar-trimming ways. Council members June 18 heard the first reading of the $10.057 million general fund budget for the new fiscal year that begins Aug. 1. The proposed budget represents a 2.67 percent decrease from last year.

The budget includes no proposed increases in tax rates, permit fees, license fees, water and sewer rates or any user fees, according to Finance Director Lynn Robinson, who also said the city’s finance staff are recommending that the current 2.988 millage rate be maintained.

The new budget has no new personnel and continues the hiring freeze that went into effect in January 2008. Vacant positions through July 1, 2009, have been removed from the budget, Robinson said earlier. Robinson is also recommending that the hiring freeze be continued.