The Flowery Branch City Council has given first reading approval to the city's proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
The reading was approved 3-1, with Councilman Joe Anglin being the only vote against. The budget features the addition of a police officer position and a new patrol car as well as the development of a new pocket park near the Lights Ferry Road roundabout that would be paid for thanks to a projected increase in tax revenue.
The budget maintains the city's millage rate at 3.264 mills, which it has been at since FY 2017 when it was last rolled back. That flat millage rate coupled with increases in many property values in the city after the latest tax assessments mean that many citizens could expect to see an increased property tax rate. City Finance Director Alisha Gamble said the average property owner in the city would see an increase of $16.74 in their yearly tax rate.
According to Gamble, the average house in the city is now valued at around $225,000. Anglin said he wants to see the city roll back the millage rate.
"By doing that, it prevents people from paying more in property tax just because their is reassessed upwards. I see it as a bit of an unfair situation that is an indirect tax that only the people whose properties have been reassessed upwards have to pay," Anglin said.
One citizen spoke in opposition to the budget, saying that she wanted to see a millage rate rollback and also wanted to see more commercial development in the city to alleviate the tax pressure on residents.
The city council will need to vote again at the budget's second reading to approve it. City officials said the council will meet Thursday, June 28 for that second reading.
The 3-1 vote was made without Councilman Christopher Mundy who was not present. It was also the first voting session held after the death of Councilman Fred Richards one week prior.
