The budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 was approved unanimously at the Collegedale Commission meeting Monday night. The budget anticipates revenues of $8.65 million and for the third year in a row there will be no property tax increase. The tax rate will remain at 1.37 per $100 of assessed property value.
Changes were also made to amend the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget to match actual expenditures. City Manager Ted Rogers told the commissioners that the adjustment of $450,000 was primarily due to the unbudgeted purchase of a truck and insurance for it.
On second reading an ordinance was approved that will raise the monthly pay for commissioners to $450 and to $500 for the mayor. This will effect only those elected in the future. The commissioners have staggered terms with two positions to be voted on in November 2014. The other three seats will be decided in 2016.
Signs that are used by people who rent rooms at the city hall for meetings or parties, came under discussion Monday night to determine if they require a temporary sign permit. These are temporary, primarily directional signs used for an event. Strategic Planner Kelly Martin told the commissioners that the city’s sign ordinance is being reviewed in entirety and this issue will be included in the discussions. He said when recommendations have been determined he will present them to the commissioners at the next planning workshop. He told them it would be better to encompass all amendments to the ordinance at one time. Mayor John Turner suggested also to have a card printed that explains all the rules and conditions for anyone renting space in the municipal building.
An update was given on the city’s greenway proposal. Mr. Martin said that a committee has now been formed which includes representatives from interested neighborhoods, representation from city staff and Larry Hanson speaking for the commissioners.
Mayor Turner who has recently begun volunteering at the city’s recycling center read the year-to-date results of Collegedale’s recycling efforts. For the 12 month calendar year nearly 99 tons have been kept out of landfills. This included 81,820 pounds of mixed paper, 37,280 pounds of newsprint, and 44,300 pounds of tin cans, 1,412 of aluminum cans and 25,300 pounds of plastic, totaling 198,760 pounds. These materials generated a profit of $3,623.33 for the city. The mayor urged more participation, saying he hopes the voluntary use of the recycling center continues to increase.