FLOWERY BRANCH - For the first time since 2005, the Flowery Branch City Council officially approved a tax increase.<br />
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In a 4-0 vote (councilman Joe Anglin was absent from the meeting), the council approved a tax increase of half a mill on property taxes.<br />
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"We've got some roads that need to be paved that we just don't have the money for," said Mayor Mike Miller.<br />
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Miller said that seven people spoke at the last meeting in opposition to the increase.<br />
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"This money is going towards a capital improvements fund. It's not operational [funds]. It's not general funds. It's all dedicated to capital improvements," Miller said.<br />
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The mayor said the feedback has been mostly positive.<br />
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"You can't please everyone," said Miller, who said that those speaking against it represent less than one percent of the city's population, which is around 7,000.<br />
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No citizens took the podium this go-round.<br />
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The new tax increase is the first increase since 2005, with a millage rate increase from 2.837 to 3.337 mills.<br />
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COUNCIL APPROVES TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS<br />
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The council also approved a pair of nominations.<br />
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Monica Beatty and Bill Ottaway were appointed to the Hall County Environmental Management System's Citizen Advisory Committee.<br />
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Both received unanimous approval.<br />
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ADDITONAL NOTES:<br />
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Councilwoman Tara Richards gave her votes live via phone, as she was on military assignment in Arizona.
The council had two notable absences Thursday night.
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