The Oak Ridge City Council has unanimously approved a budget that does not raise the property tax rate.
It would be the fourth year in a row without a tax rate increase if Council approves the budget on second and final reading May 29.
Passed on first reading Monday night, the budget includes a 1.5 percent pay raise for city employees in the fiscal year that starts July 1. It would keep the property tax rate at $2.39 per $100 of assessed value.
The city would give the schools the same amount as last year, or roughly $14.6 million, and general fund municipal expenditures would total about $19.5 million.
The budget, which is generally similar to last year’s, adds nine new employees to help the city comply with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency order that requires Oak Ridge to stop all sewer system overflows by 2015.
It also includes money for renovations at Woodland Elementary School. The city has agreed to give a total of $500,000, or half the estimated cost of repairs.
Other major capital projects include the second $250,000 contribution for an expansion of the Roane State Community College branch campus in Oak Ridge and $280,000 to match a state grant for Jackson Square revitalization.
Also under the budget, President’s Day would be added as an additional city holiday, and some departmental restructurings would occur. For example, the deputy city manager position would not be filled.
Trina Baughn says
Did you mean to say that this is the first year in over 4 that they have NOT increased the budget? They’ve increased it every year for as long as I can remember.
John Huotari says
Trina,
I edited the second paragraph to say this would be the fourth year in a row without a tax rate increase. The last rate increase was in 2008.
John
Trina Baughn says
Ah. Got it. Thanks!
Mike M says
Interesting. In a few more years of no tax increases perhaps we will get the fat out.
Please note, I would be in favor of a tax increase in the future if all the increase went to justified budget increases for the schools. Since the system did not ask for an increase this year this is a moot point at this time.