The Waleska City Council on Tuesday night voted to set the 2009 millage rate at the rollback rate of 3.573 mills, the same level set by the council last year.
The owner of a $200,000 house with a standard $5,000 exemption would receive a city tax bill of $267. Despite the millage rate staying the same, many property owners still will see a drop in their city taxes because most properties in Cherokee County declined in assessed value. More than 78,000 property owners in Cherokee saw a drop in their assessment this year.
The city's real property digest dipped from almost $7.7 million in 2008 to $7.5 million this year.
"It shouldn't be any more than it was last year," Councilwoman Mary Helen Lamb said about the tax burden for city residents this year.
She said while the council cut the budget, it needed to maintain its revenues.
"If we left it where it was last year, it is not going to hurt us. It should help both groups," she said, referring to the city government and the residents.
The millage rate will help support the city's 2009-10 budget, which began in July. The city has budgeted for $1.3 million in revenues and $1.1 million in expenditures. The previous year's budget included $2.2 million in revenues and $1.4 million in expenditures.
Last month, the council agreed to make the millage rate revenue neutral.
"It is definitely the economy," Councilman Dennis "Hill" Cochran said about the decision to keep the millage rate the same. "We don't want to hurt anybody."
Mayor Doris Jones agreed with not wanting to add to residents' tax burden, adding that approving the rollback rate was "in the best interest of the community."
The Waleska City Council on Tuesday night considered the following agenda items:
* Adopted the 2009 millage rate of 3.573 mills;
* Heard an update on qualifying for this year's municipal election in November. Qualifying for three council seats are incumbents Floyd Puckett and Dennis "Hill" Cochran, along with residents Melissa Fournier and Paul Ice;
* Reviewed the new water rates approved earlier this year that will go into effect for the August billing;
* Heard an update on an Arlington Way water line extension that residents will help fund. The city government is waiting on two residents to make their payments;
* Reviewed fliers that will be sent out with water bills regarding the 2010 Census;
* Scheduled a work session for Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m.; and
* Met in executive session to talk about potential litigation, but took no action upon returning to open session.
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