Rockmart set to approve lower millage rate for 2016, annexation request up
The City of Rockmart is expected to set the 2016 advalorem tax millage rate at 8.888 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Rockmart Municipal Complex, Administrative Building on N. Piedmont Ave.
The rate is less than that set for 2015, which was 8.901. This means the City will receive $122,150 less in total revenues, according to the 5-year history of levy.
In 2011, the net tax millage rate was 9.160 and 8.989 in 2012. The rate set in 2013 was 8.989 and 8.989 in 2014.
The net tax levied for 2011 was $1,452,522 and $1,433,621 in 2012. In 2013, the total was $1,381,369 and $1,369,571 in 2014.
Council members adopted a resolution authorizing advertisement of these numbers during a meeting held on August 10.
The group also approved a petition from Teramore Development, LLC. to annex a 1-acre tract of land, located
at the corner of Highway 278 and Peacock Lane in Rockmart.
The property will be zoned C-3, General Commercial.
The Planning Commission considered the application and recommended the annexation be approved.
A public hearing for or against the annexation and rezoning will be held at the next scheduled meeting of the Rockmart Council at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Meanwhile, the group approved adjustments to Rockmart’s FY 2017 budget. Earlier, the document and a new fee schedule were given the green light.
The $ 10,410,464 FY2017 budget reflects the $5,851,573 general fund and $4,558,941 in the water/sewer fund. This compares with the $10,666,275 FY2016 budget - $6,214,215 gener- al fund and $4,452,060 water fund/sewer fund.
Highlighting the budget was the continuation of a one percent pay increase for city employees, which will be received in October of this year and in January and April 2017, according to city officials.
No tax increase was included in the budget, which Manager Jeff Ellis said is down $100,000 or more from the past year.
Ellis said the City’s finances are “in good shape”, a tradition that has continued for the past decade or more. He emphasized new programs and projects have increased expenses in the operating budget. However, he sees no problem in meeting these needs.
Other key points in the FY2017 budget included:
A new officer in the Rockmart Police Department
An added employee in the office/human resource office for the Administration Department
And, a new staff member at the Waste Treatment Plant
Additionally, Ellis said a new fee schedule was adopted along with the FY2017 budget. The changes include:
A five percent increase in garbage collection fees: Residential polycart (includes street side debris pickup), from $13.59 to $14.27 and commercial polycart (includes street side debris pickup), from $18.19 to $19.10.
A 5 percent increase in water rates effective in July 2016. Water inside – residential and commercial minimum – 2,000 gallons – from $8.42 to $8.84.
Sewer rate changes were also approved. Inside sewer for residential and commercial customers – minimum 2,000 gallon – from $10.52 to $13.27. For those using from 2,001 to 10,000 gallons, the fee went from $5.26 to $6.63.