The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
City Council: No tax hike for this year
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 29, 2008
What a difference a year makes.
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The public hearing on the city's fiscal 2009 budget and property tax millage proposal presented Tuesday met with no opposition from the public or the Chelsea City Council.
"There is no proposed millage rate increase, even though we are gearing up for some significant projects," City Administrative Services Director Kim Garland told the council.
It's a far cry from last year, when Garland proposed an increase of 1.25 mills, or more than 10 percent, for the city's general fund.
Council approval of that action set off a storm of protest, catalyzed the creation of a citizen's group dedicated to more transparency in city government, and catapulted two members of that group into seats on the council by uprooting two incumbents.
It seems that the tax revolt had the desired effect, likely due to work done over the previous 12 months to bring expenses and revenues in line and putting a number of cost savings and other financial management practices into place to avoid a tax increase.
"I want to thank everybody for the tremendous effort that went into putting this (year's budget) together," City Manager John Hanifan said.
"There are many city department heads here tonight, and I want to thank them for all their help."
Garland said overall millage rates will remain unchanged from current levels, which are:
General Operating, 13.0994; Municipal Streets, 1.5200; Solid Waste, 0.4355; and Downtown Development Authority, 1.6727.
The council will formally vote to set the millage rate and approve the budget at its June 10 meeting.
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