The town of Highlands approved an $8 million budget increase on Thursday during its regularly scheduled meeting, for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
The overall budget, $28,312,029.91 was approved 4-1, with commissioner Marc Hehn voting against.
There were two amendments made to the budget since the presentation on May 27, to include improvements to lighting on the baseball field and a payment to D.R. Reynolds for the fire department project.
“The addition of $137,500 was made to the Recreation Capital Improvements line item within the General Fund for the ballfield lighting project,” Town manager Josh Ward said. “This was required in order to reflect the total project cost of $275,000. Macon County approved their budget, which included $127,500 toward the lighting project, which will be recognized when the funds are received. Secondly, an amendment was made in the form of a reduction in the GF Capital Projects fund of $288,679.59, due to a recent payment to D.R. Reynolds for the fire department project. The total of the proposed FY 2021-2022 budget is $28,312,029.91.”
Compared to last year’s budget, there is $129,375.40 less in the General Fund, but $7,149,600.85 more in the GF Capital Projects Fund due to the fire department project.
In the sewer fund, there is $59,500 less than last year. In the Water Fund, there was a $21,200 increase. The sanitation fund decreased by $162,300 and the electric fund increased by $366,978.
“Last year was the COVID-19 year,” Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor said. “We reduced the usual budget because we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be towards the end of the year. This is more in line with previous budgets. We have to factor in everything that we are doing, including water, electric, sewer and other utilities. That is why we have such a big budget.”
An Ad Valorem tax rate of $.1565 per $100 valuation was established for General Fund purposes for the Town of Highlands, which includes $0.15 earmarked for street paving projects. The rate is based on an approximate valuation of $1.8 billion and an estimated collection rate of 98 percent.
Hehn voted against approving the budget because he said there are still more things that need to be done in the town.
“I think we need to move ahead with the water plant,” Hehn said. “I’m getting complaints from several neighbors saying they want their road paved, as well. So, I vote no.”
The board of commissioners also:
• Approved proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance.
• Approved to set a hearing for a rezoning request from Bennett Williams at 1459 South Fourth Street from B-3 Commercial to R-1 Residential.
• Approved a parking request from Mountain Findings to pave a parking lot.