LITTLE MOUNTAIN — Little Mountain Town Council has passed first reading of its 2016-17 fiscal year budget, with a tax levy of 51.5 mills and no tax increase.
The millage breaks down as 42.3 mills for the operating budget; 4.2 mill for capital bond; and 5.0 mills for budget reserve. The town’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2017.
Mayor Jana Jayroe also said the town did have a way to increase the millage if it wanted to, based on information from the state Budget Control Board.
“They sent out notices that whatever the town growth was you can get a percentage to increase your millage, and if we wish we can increase our millage by .8 percent because we had .68 percent population growth,” she said. “I do not see any reason to raise taxes.”
Council agreed.
Councilman Marty Frick added that if they were growing and they needed it that would be one thing, but that is not the case.
The total projected revenue for the 2016-17 fiscal year is $158,379, which balances with the recommended expenditures.
The budget this year also includes the Little Mountain Reunion at $35,000, which is the same for revenue and expenditure.
Other highlights of 2016-17 revenue include $2,050 from rental fees, $9,041 from business licenses and $1,800 from a reimbursement from the Council on Aging.
Expenditure highlights include upkeep and repair – grass cutting at $17,814; deferred maintenance at $21,043; and $13,100 for salaries (mayor, council members and town clerk).
First reading was approved after Councilman Melvin Bowers made a motion and Councilwoman Susan Epting seconded.
In other business, Michael Tolbert made a presentation to council about his documentary short titled Wood: A Family Affair.
“Back in the spring semester of 2015, I was working on a class assignment and I did it on Richard Kinard, and it was a documentary piece on his career working in the wood industry. I also tackled his son working in the wood industry,” Tolbert said.
Tolbert said the documentary has been screened at multiple film festivals, and since it is a film about a local resident, he would like to show it in Little Mountain.
“Since it is still in the film festival circuit, I cannot publicly release it so I felt like reaching out to y’all would be really beneficial,” Tolbert told council, adding that it is family friendly.
Jayroe said the town has one more Movies in the Park event to be scheduled because one was canceled due to weather, adding it would be a wonderful idea to screen it.
The rest of council agreed and promised to keep in touch with Tolbert to let him know when the next date is picked.