The budget and tax rate for fiscal year starting July, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020 was passed on first reading Tuesday night at the Red Bank Commission meeting. There will be no property tax increase. The tax rate remains at $1.39 per $100 of assessed value.
A large part of the $6,420,800 budget is for personnel and it also includes some paving projects that have been carried over from 2019.
Upon advice from engineers, the city will also be making some improvements to city-owned facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A second reading will be held before the budget becomes final. Commissioner Ruth Jeno asked for any resident who is opposed to the large Hamilton County tax increase to notify the Hamilton County Commissioner representing Red Bank.
As the city continues to grow, a lot of projects are taking place, said City Manager Tim Thornbury. A fiber optics trunk line is being laid along Dayton Boulevard, but the work should not impact traffic, he said. Two sewer projects, one on Lyndon Avenue and the other on Lullwater Road, are already in progress and they will be affecting traffic. After the new sewer lines are laid in the center of these streets, they must be tested before repaving can be done, causing traffic problems. In response to a citizen’s complaint about safety on Lullwater due to the sewer work, Mr. Thornbury said he would see if testing the sewers a section at a time as they are completed could be done so that paving could also follow in segments.
The commissioners passed a resolution that declared seized, found and unclaimed property as surplus. This will allow the sale, trade or destruction of the items, most of which are related to police work.
The commissioners would like for residents to know that a new exercise program by Seniors-on-the-Go of low impact aerobics is free and available at the Red Bank Community Center.
Vice Mayor Terry Pope announced that the Red Bank United Methodist Church is starting a food pantry and several fundraisers have been planned for it. On June 12, a barbecue will be held where donations will be taken. There will be cookouts every Wednesday night and on Saturday, June 22, the Red Bank Family Diner will host a catfish dinner where proceeds will go to the food pantry.