Council approves 2017 budget, mill increase

BY ALEX BATTITORI

alex@hometowngirard.com

 

The Girard City Council approved the 2017 city budget, including a 3.851 mill increase, with a unanimous vote during a special budget workshop Wednesday, July 28.

The council discussed two possibilities with regard to raising the mill levy—the 3.8-mill option, and a 2-mill option. They decided with the possibility of the state tax lid being raised next year, that the 3.8 mill would be the better plan. The total mill levy in the City of Girard will now sit at 60.634 mills, with each mill valued at $12,767.

For a home in Girard that is valued at $46,200 (the median value for the city), the 3.8-mill increase will cost the property owner a total of $25.04 per year, or approximately $2.09 per month.

As for what the additional mills will be used for, City Administrator Chris Weiner said, “We’re at a point where we don’t have the cushion to be able to say ‘I’d like to raise revenues to buy back some debt.’ We’re trying to tread water and have enough revenue to conduct services.”

Funds raised by the levy will total less than $50,000 out of a $7 million budget.

Regarding the usage of the levied funds, Councilwoman Kelly Peak added, “That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to do projects. We’re talking about maintaining projects. Taking on 4-way stop project, the streetscape project, etc.”

The budget hearing will take place Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers.