Tax Decrease Expected in Proposed 2012 Roswell Budget

Unlike some other metro area cities, if the Roswell City Council approves the current proposed 2011-2012 on June 1, residents could see a slight decrease in property taxes. However, some locals will still face a slight increase in fees, thanks to a new city stormwater utility fee that goes into effect July 1.

The current budget is balanced on a proposed millage rate of 5.345 mils, which is a .11 mils decrease from the 2011 rate of 5.455 mils. The proposal provides the city with a general fund of $56.7 million, of which a total of $56.1 million is already designated for expenditures.

If approved as is, the average homeowner in Roswell can expect the 2.15 percent reduction to give them a $12.95 decrease in taxes, according to Keith Lee, director of strategic planning and budgeting for Roswell.

The city also made cuts to its operating budget through adjustments including an early retirement program offered to some employees last year, as well as the slashing of several new initiatives like the videotaping of council meetings. Additionally, the proposed budget won’t cover a new deputy chief of police position, playground renovations or floor restoration at the Bill Johnson Community Activities Building.

Also within the current proposed budget, two positions from the recreation department and one position within the detention center will be cut.

But, even with all the reduction, the city will still see a $759,926 increase in revenue over the 2011 budget.

To see the full budget that is proposed, click here.

As for the new stormwater fee, the city will begin to charge residential and commercial properties based upon their impervious runoff area. The new fee is broken down into a five-tiered payment structure that has been calculated using Geographic Information Systems. It ranges from $2.57 per month for residents with up to 3,400 square feet of impervious surface to $3.95 per 4,100 square feet of impervious area for non-residential property. 

But to offset the fee for many city residents, the city implemented a reduction to sanitation service fees in the amount of $3.95 per month for residential properties and $11.95 per month for non-residential properties. That change would allow residents in the first two tiers of the stormwater payment structure to either see no change to their overall monthly costs or perhaps even receive a monthly credit instead of paying out.

The council will conduct the first reading of the budget and millage rate on May 23, the second reading will take place at a special meeting, Wednesday, June 1.

In other agenda item action last night:

-The council deferred a request to remove conditions for Fellowship Christian School to install lights, sound system, press box and bleacher seating until July 11. The city currently has a list of unresolved issues for the property, which include missing and dead trees.

-The city approved two different requests for sidewalk café’s along Canton Street. Both Pasti’s and Zest will be allowed to commandeer the Canton Street three parking spaces each. At Pasti’s the council required that two spaces be left open and the side parking lot be restriped to allow for five 45-minute limit spaces. Both restaurants will still need post and chain approval by the Historic Preservation Commission.