Politics & Government
Woodstock Could Roll Back Property Tax Rate
Woodstock staff is proposing the city roll back its millage rate from 7.889 mills to 7.250 mills.
Property owners in the city of Woodstock could see a reduction on their tax bills.
That's according to information presented on Monday night to the City Council's on the city's proposed fiscal year 2015 budget.
The proposed budget is $34.1 million, down from the amended fiscal year 2014 budget of $37 million.
Broken down, the city's proposed funds are:
- general fund at $17 million, down from $17.3 million
- water/sewer at $10.3 million, down from $12 million
- stormwater at $1.7 million, down from 2.2 million
- special revenue /internal service funds* at $4.9 million, up from $3.65 million
The numbers are based upon a projected 18 percent increase — before appeals are resolved — in the county's gross property tax digest. With that in mind, staff is recommending the city roll back its millage rate from 7.889 mills to 7.250 mills.
In the general fund, the city is expected to fund a contribution to the Sequoyah Regional Library System and 2 percent cost of living adjustment for full-time and year round part-time employees.
Initially, the city was slated to give $20,000 to the Cherokee Office of Economic Development to help fund an additional person for its office, but the majority of the council decided to abandon that request.
Council woman Tessa Basford said she felt like funding another person for CoED should be a "county issue."
Other projects included in the proposed budget include:
- $15,000 for a beginner mountain bike trail at Dupree Park.
- $50,000 for a Dupree Park fitness trail.
- $150,000 for new restrooms at Olde Rope Mill Park.
- $15,000 for Woofstock Park trailhead connection.
Police:
- 10 digital compatible radios – mobile (in-car) & portable (carried on officer) $15,120
- 5 digital ally in-car video camera systems: $22,065
- Three refurbished Ford Crown Victorias: $54,791
- 2 new Dodge Chargers: $69,531
- 6 Panasonic Toughbook laptops: $7,224
Fire:
- One Ford Super Duty F250 4WD Crew Cab $35,808
- One Lifepak cardiac monitor $25,314
Public Works - Streets:
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- Sand spreader: $8,500
- Snow plow C6500: $7,500
- PW building build out (cost shared with water and sewer): $25,000
Parks and Recreation:
- Blower attachment: $5,000
- Equipment trailer: $3,200
- One Kubota Mower: $20,106
- One Ford F-150: $22,656
- Dupree Park Tennis & Basketball Court resurfacing: $30,000
- One new truck $20,000
Councilman Warren Johnson questioned the need of the city to purchase sand spreaders and snow plows, adding the city does not experience this winter's heavy snow and ice on a regular basis.
City Manager Jeff Moon argued the city could use the equipment, especially when coordinating efforts with Cherokee County to help clear roads snowed and iced over.
For example, city crews who were working on Highway 92 during one of the storms. received a call from Cherokee County Roads and Bridges Department, asking the city to help clear Towne Lake Hills South so buses at both Woodstock Middle and High schools could begin transporting children home.
Moon said the city had to take equipment from Highway 92 to the schools, thus losing any strides made on clearing the state highway.
The council held a public hearing and approved the first reading of the budget on Monday. The second reading is scheduled for June 9.
The millage rate won't be set until sometime in August once the appeals process is completed.
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