During a recent City Council meeting, members discussed the approval of the 2024 tax rate, which is set at 0.405240. The council voted to remove the item from the table for further consideration, with the motion passing unanimously. This tax rate will be included in the official notice for the upcoming meeting and will be published in local newspapers and on the city’s website.

Council member Miss Whittem emphasized the importance of taking a record vote on the recommended tax rate, highlighting the procedural requirements that accompany such decisions.

Additionally, a significant point of discussion arose regarding the water rate study related to the Smurfit business. Council member Bob raised concerns about the previous study, which recommended a $300,000 adjustment for the remainder of 2024. He urged the council to reevaluate this study before finalizing the tax rate, suggesting that adopting the proposed rate could result in nearly $500,000 in credits owed to Smurfit. He expressed the need for a dialogue with the business partner as the city approaches the 2025 budget season.

While the conversation about Smurfit's water rates was initiated, it did not receive immediate support from other council members, leading to a broader discussion about the budget preparation efforts by city staff, which received positive feedback from council members.

The meeting underscored the council's commitment to transparency and collaboration with local businesses while navigating the complexities of budgetary decisions.