The Baldwin City Council will consider approving next year’s annual budget and the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) employment contract during its Monday, June 10 meeting.
Both items have been met with support and opposition among the council. However, citizens spoke against both items during last week’s public hearing.
SEE RELATED: Baldwin residents voice concerns over proposed millage rate hike
Budget
If approved, the FY 2025 budget will require a millage rate increase of approximately 1.11 mils for both Banks and Habersham County Baldwin property owners. Those on the Habersham County side would see their millage rate increase by 13.08%. Property owners on the Banks County side would see their millage rate rise 41.7%.
In dollars, the FY 2025 general fund budget will increase by $427,517 over last year’s budget or nearly 12%. The property tax increase will make up approximately $195,000, or 45.61% of that increase, to pay for next year’s budget.
CAO contract
The CAO employment contract, as proposed, includes a 10% salary increase, a 2.5% cost of living adjustment, and a cash equivalent for paid time off (PTO) of $6,000 for the position. The new salary with all of the combined increases will go from its current rate of $104,000 annually to $123,410 per year.
The proposed salary increase comes on the heels of a 60% pay raise for the CAO last year, which bumped the pay rate from $65,000 to $104,000.
SEE RELATED: Baldwin Council clashes over city administrator’s proposed pay raise
Special Election
The City Council will also introduce and consider a Special Election Resolution for Council Post 2. Last week, Council member Joseph Satterfield announced his resignation from that position on the City Council effective July 29. The council will consider approving the resolution during Monday’s meeting to give the Habersham County Elections Office time to prepare for qualifying and the city’s special election in November.
SEE RELATED: Baldwin’s Satterfield resigns from city council
The Baldwin City Council will meet Monday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin.
