Council adopts NNR rate

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members voted during the regular monthly meeting time on Monday, Sept. 11 to adopt the tax rate that had been proposed on Aug. 21.

Council members also decided, after a short closed session, to give city manager Billy Holson a raise.

Tax Rate

In a special meeting on Aug. 21, the council had proposed a “No New Revenue” (NNR) rate of 56.39 cents.

The NNR rate is calculated to produce the same amount of taxes if applied to the same properties taxed the previous year, and is actually lower than last year’s rate of 61.04 cents and substantially lower than the previous year’s rate of 67.55 cents because of rising property values within the city limits.

The NNR rate is calculated to generate $611,022 in tax revenues.

It was adopted Monday with no discussion on a motion by Austin Sherwood, seconded by Chris Beard.

City Manager Raise

After the brief regular meeting, accelerated because of rapidly approaching severe weather, the council went into closed session for about 30 minutes.

Upon reopening to the public, Sherwood made a motion to raise Holson’s annual salary by $6,000, seconded by Don Taggart. The motion passed unanimously.

“We are lucky to have Billy as our city manager,” mayor Susan Montgomery said. “He loves Albany, and he always has our community’s best interest at heart. We felt that he deserved this raise and our affirmation of what he does for us. He does an outstanding job.”

Other Business

•Police chief Mike House updated the council about an ongoing dog problem in the south portion of the community, stating that some progress has been made in issuing citations.

•The city manager quickly went over the August financials, stating that the city may have to use some of its surplus if expenses don’t go down.

•Holson also said that the new water meters have resulted in a few problems, with some residential leaks caused because of increased pressure.