The City of Hinesville is looking at a proposed budget that trims the millage rate, but also mandates three public hearings on it. City chief financial officer Kim Ryon presented the proposed budget to council members at their meeting Thursday, with a general fund budget of $26.6 million.
The city is proposing to cut the millage rate by .15 mills, but with the growth in the digest, it is still not at the rollback rate level.
“There was significant growth in the digest,” Ryon said.
The millage is expected to be reduced from 10.3 to 10.15, even as the budget grows from its fiscal year 2023 level of $24.6 million.
Ryon noted the city has rolled back the millage rate a total of 1.36 over the last several years, and the millage rate may be at its lowest level since 1983. The city is projecting a 1.5% growth in LOST, or local option sales taxes, and will be giving employees a 3.4% cost-of-living adjustment.
Ryon also noted the city’s water and sewer fund is balanced this year, with no proposed rate increases for FY24.
The budget also includes one part-time public relations administrative assistant, a full-time municipal court deputy clerk, two fire fighters and four public safety support specialists for the police department. The budget also sets aside $500,000 for operating reserves.
Also added in the budget is a mobility manager for the transit department, which had been a part of the city’s third-party vendor for transit services.
The sanitation fund budget calls for no rate increases and the city plans to purchase another garbage truck at $310,000, financed over five years. The stormwater utility fund, which also is not calling for any proposed increases, is paying for a new street sweeper at $320,000, to be financed over five years.
The city is adjusting its retirement plan, with retirement now starting at age 50 with 20 years of service.
The income level to qualify for the senior citizens’ rate is going up from $22,230 to $23,535, or 90% of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s two-person family very low income limit.
Council members are expected to adopt the budget at their October 19 meeting.