Huntsville finalizes budget, tax rate
HUNTSVILLE — The municipal tax rate here will be 49 cents for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, which will produce the same amount of tax revenue as the current fiscal year, which is just ending.
Following a public hearing Monday evening, the Huntsville Board of Mayor & Aldermen approved by unanimous vote the second and final reading of a tax levy ordinance, which accepts the certified tax rate provided by the state.
Alderman Wesley Riggins pointed out that some property owners’ taxes would increase, while some would see their taxes decrease, depending upon the recertification of their property’s assessed value, which was recently completed.
The board also gave final approval to the town’s budget for FY 2008-2009, with no major changes included from the operating budget for the current fiscal year.
After considering the agenda’s financial matters, the board discussed at greatest length the preferred way to proceed with a privately-owned pond near Swifton Village. The pond is apparently creating problems for neighboring property owners during times when the pond is high due to rains, causing water to back up onto other properties and onto a road right-of-way owned by the town.
Mayor George W. Potter said that town officials had attempted to persuade the property owner to lower the dam of the pond by approximately one foot, and recommended hiring an attorney to draft a letter to the property owner on the town’s behalf.
However, the board appeared to be divided on how to approach the issue. Ultimately, the board approved a motion by Sharra Crowley to have the town’s attorney, Andrew Tillman, provide an opinion as to how the town can proceed.
In another matter, the board authorized Mayor Potter to sign a contract for the construction of a catwalk at the town’s sewer plant, at an estimated cost of $42,000. Funding for the project is part of the original funding for the sewer plant, construction of which was completed in November 2004. Also, the board authorized Potter to sign a contract for the construction of a sludge shed at the sewer plant, partial funding of which will come from remaining funds after the catwalk is completed.
Finally, the board voted to accept an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant, in the amount of $350,000, which will be used for sewer projects.