(file photo)
The Clarkesville City Council met Monday night and voted to approve a 2016 Operating Budget that is based on a no-change millage rate of 6.35 millls.
Before the council meeting began, the city held an open Budget Public Hearing on the proposed budget and there were no public comments. City Manager Barbara Kesler presented the millage rate and operating budgets for approval by the council, reflecting “recommendations disussed at the September 25, 2015 work session,” her report presentation stated.
The budget increases were largest in the area of Public Safety, she said – referring to the Fire Department and Police Department.
Although the council had previously approved the hiring of an additional Police Officer, city officials “haven’t been able to find a person for every weekend,” Kesler said, so the job description needs to be changed. She said another vehicle will need to be bought for the Clarkesville Police Department and attributed the budget increases in Public Safety to the need to equip additional personnel.
The council also heard and approved Kesler’s report that a city-wide Freeport Exemption for personal property taxes could be approved at a 60% level, and taxes for 2015 will be due Janury 28, 2016.
The council also heard committee reports from various departments for the previous month, stating:
- the Taste of Clarkesville annual event was down one thousand visitors from previous attendance, due to the weather, but raised $17,000 to support the Main Street Program;
- the “Junior” planning board for the movie showing of “Pitch Perfect” will be rescheduling that event;
- the Fire Department experienced the effects of “steady rain, not heavy rain” during the recent weather event. “We were spared,” the council heard;
- the Planning and Zoning Department has issued 7 building permits;
- the process of applying for funding for fire damage restoration is underway; and
- the Public Works Department experienced no negative events during the recent rain storm. Mayor Terry Greene called the recent storm, “a good stress test” for the Public Works Department.
