Final Budget Hearing, Vote Tonight

The Canton City Council will give citizens one final opportunity to share their thoughts on the Fiscal Year 2014 budget during a public hearing Thursday night.

Cantonians will be able to speak their minds starting at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Canton City Hall.

Starting on Aug. 1, meetings were held to get residents' reactions to a proposed millage rate increase of 1.187 mills, a property tax increase of some 17.87 percent.

The increased millage rate was originally intended to help the city pay for the costs of hiring new fire fighters, provide a cost of living adjustment for all city employees, and to build an amphitheater in Etowah River Park.

However, several city council members are now considering either a lower millage rate increase or not increasing the rate at all. 

Councilmen John Beresford and Bill Bryan told the Cherokee Tribune that they are reconsidering their original support of the millage rate increases, saying that the city's prudent financial work has been "outstanding" and that there may not be a need to raise taxes at this time.

Councilman Glen Cummins proposed some options to save the city money, such as not giving cost of living adjustments to senior staff and scrapping the plan to hire additional fire fighters.

It was determined earlier this year that the city could earn an ISO rating of 3 by concluding a formal training agreement with Cherokee County.

After the public hearing is concluded, the city council will formally adopt a fiscal year 2014 budget.