City okays NNR tax rate

By Melinda L. Lucas

A quorum of Albany city council members voted during the regular monthly meeting time on Monday, Sept. 12 to adopt the tax rate that had been proposed on Aug. 23.

Council members also looked at a possible “swap” of city-owned property near the water plant with acreage south of the airport.

Adopted Tax Rate

The “No New Revenue” (NNR) rate of 61.04 cents, formerly called the effective tax 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 67.55 cents because of higher property values.

Calculated to generate $597,217, the rate was adopted with no discussion on a motion by Lynsi Musselman, seconded by Lester Galbreath.

Property Proposal

City manager Billy Holson requested and received authorization to pursue the possibility of “swapping” 7.3 acres east of the water plant on Hwy. 283 S for 6.87 acres immediately to the south of the runway at the municipal airport.

“We would have control of that land so nothing could be built in the flight pattern in the future,” said Holson, who will check on legalities and work with the property owners.

Golf Carts & Trash

Mayor Susan Montgomery made statements about two different issues.

She appealed to parents asking that underage children not be allowed to drive golf carts, commenting that she hopes it doesn’t take a catastrophic accident to get people’s attention.

She also asked for citizens’ help in picking up trash throughout the city.