Assistant Finance Director Connie Robinson presented the 2018 preliminary levy to council Tuesday which needs to be certified to the county by Sept. 30.

 

Robinson gave a quick Powerpoint presentation establishing the levies for the city, EDA and fire hall refunding bonds and also established a public hearing date of Dec. 5 for final budget and levy approval.

 

Robinson’s presentation shows a general fund budget of $3.17 million (up 10.1%), a fire levy budget of 339,800 (down 5.2%), a BCC budget of 559,438 (down 7.9%), a capital levy budget of $1.935 million (same as last year), a 2008A WWTF bond budget of 139,671, a 2012A water/WWTF refunding bond budget of $733,898 and a 2010A G.O. improvement bond budget of $25,000.

 

She also noted a separate market value levy for debt service on GO fire station improvements (2011A fire station refunding bonds) at $176,975 and the EDA levy at $146,559 (up 27.4%).

 

The combined change for 2018 proposed is at 4.1%.

 

Robinson pointed out the levy mark established Tuesday could always be lowered before the end of the year but never raised.

 

The 2018 tax rate is estimated at 39.73% — a decrease of .02% from 2017.

 

Capital levies proposed for 2018 include Admin/EDA ($123,500), Police ($52,000), Public Works & Streets ($725,000), Parks ($625,000), BCC ($250,000), Golf Course ($150,000) and Vacation/Sick Pay ($10,000).

 

Wages and benefits for the governmental funds are budgeted to increase approximately $288,118 with a 3% cost-of-living increase, step increases, required minimum wage increases and worker’s comp/health insurance increases.

 

Other expenditures include tools/minor equipment and repairs and general operating.

 

Revenues are forecasted at flat projections.

 

Equipment included in the proposed levy include an election ballot counter/register, cable TV and Allworx upgrades, police digital video system, public works truck & front-end loader, a mower and wood chipper and fitness equipment for the BCC.

 

The 2018 projects proposed are an electronic filing system, GIS, cold storage, stree improvements (Fairway Lane, Bradley, Cottonwood, Ash and Willow), BAC field improvements, BCC flooring and UV disinfection system.

 

The tax impact for homeowners is zero for a person who owns a home valued at $200,000 or less. For a $300,000 to $500,000 it is a $1 increase.

 

For commercial, a $500,000-valued business would see a $2 increase. A $1 million business would see a $4 increase. A $2 million business would see a $9 increase. A $5 million business would see a $22 increase and a $10 million business would see a $45 increase.

 

The public hearing/truth in taxation meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.