Collegedale Commissioners on Monday night kept the property tax rate the same, but increased the sewer rate.
Collegedale’s budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 was adopted in a unanimous vote and with praise from the mayor and commission members. Vice Mayor Tim Johnson said the budget was very well prepared, and that City Manager Ted Rogers knows how to manage so that it is not necessary to raise property taxes.
He also gave credit to the key management teams for a job well done.
The commendation was seconded by Mayor Katie Lamb and Commissioner Phil Garver, who said, before the vote, that he appreciated the hard work of the city manager and staff for putting together a budget that will serve the city well in the coming year.
Mr. Rogers said the budget is very conservative with only routine items planned in 2017. The property tax rate will remain at 1.3713 per $1,000 of assessed value.
At the beginning of each fiscal year, the budget is created to project what the cost will be to run the city for the coming year. During any year, unexpected expenses occur, he noted. Toward the end of the fiscal year, the city manager makes adjustments to the original projection and presents an amendment to the budget which reflects the changes. Monday night the commissioners voted to accept the amendment to the 2015-2016 budget.
Collegedale has had the same sewer rates for the past 16 years. City Manager Rogers made the recommendation and the commissioners accepted raising the rate this year in order to remain profitable. The new rate is $6.50 per 1,000 gallons of water that is used.
The construction of a house that is being converted into an economic development building for Collegedale is making good progress, said Commissioner Garver. He also reported that the bricks for commemorating citizens of Collegedale are ready to be installed at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The pavers will be placed in front of the jet.