Budget is central point for council

The Rockmart City Council meeting also covers Clerk’s Week, Fi Fas, and what is contained within the FY 2018 budget.

Last Tuesday marked another installment of Rockmart’s city council gathering for their May session, with a light but important agenda that included Fi Fas, Clerk’s Week, and the 2018 fiscal year budget becoming central points of the meeting.

Applause began the meeting as Pam Herring was recognized during Municipal Clerk Week for her hard work. As clerk, Ms. Herring handles all financial aspects of Rockmart, cemetery deeds, and website/technology projects.

Municipal Clerk Week is celebrated annually from May 7 through May 13 and Ms. Herring’s contributions to the city made her worthy of the certificate awarded by Mayor Stephen Miller.

The timeline for the 2018 fiscal year budget process was met with full approval by the council, but the numbers for the budget are “still under review,” explained Herring.

“It is premature to put any numbers out there,” she said.

While the numbers aren’t quite ready for public reveal, the timeline provided reveals that the budget will be presented before the City Manager- Fi- nance Officer for further review on May 16, reviewed by the Finance Committee on May 17, forwarded to the council for discussion on May 30, and then later tried before a public hearing on June 6 before being adopted as the official fiscal year budget for 2018 on June 13.

Herring also pointed out that the budget is largely similar to last year’s.

The council was also presented with a set of 2016 tax Fi Fas, adding liens placed on property when property owners are missing tax payments.

Usually distributed in April, the Fi Fa taxes were running late, but council members found no flaws and moved to authorize the liens being placed on those properties which didn’t pay last year.

Council members pushed off a planned vote on a potential tethering ordinance for the City of Rockmart proposed previously by Cedartown-Polk County Humane Society president Charlotte Harrison, who addressed the board about the issue in previous months.

Ron Brackett had also asked for time to address the council about Joe Anderson, but before the meeting asked to postpone the request according to Mayor Steve Miller.

The Rockmart City Council meetings are open to the public and are held the second Tuesday of every month. Those interested can attend at Rockmart’s Government Complex at 316 N. Piedmont Ave.