Council scrambles to avoid tax hike

By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Staff Writer

Based on the results from the previous Cherokee County Council budget committee meeting, county taxpayers can expect a 5 to 6 mill tax hike in the proposed budget.

But that could change once the budget committee re-examines the spending plan following tonight’s regularly scheduled council meeting.

“We’ll discuss it and see where we can make some more cuts,” Cherokee County Council Chairman Hoke Parris said.

Parris declined to speculate if county taxpayers will see a tax hike.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.

At its previous meeting, the budget committee sifted through 54 pages of proposed operating and capital expenditures before trimming $363,000 from a projected $1.2 million shortfall.

A 5-mill increase means the owner of a $100,000 home would see his or her tax bill increase by $20.

Council already has slashed funding for the $47,000 public works director position and eliminated a request for a $99,000 garbage truck.

Council members have also reduced funding for renovations to the Clerk of Courts Office, medical insurance and post-closure costs at the former landfill site.

At tonight’s meeting, council will also take a detailed look at the proposed budgets for the Cherokee County Recreation Department as well as the Library Board, which has requested an increase in millage from 3.7 to 4.8 mills.

“We just want to see what the (Library Board and Peachtree Centre) are doing,” Parris said.

The new budget is scheduled to take effect July 1.