Finance director reports higher permit activity and strong tax collections; utilities report capacity work under way
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Summary
Interim Finance Director Amanda Long reported year‑over‑year growth in building permits and utility taps, robust local sales tax performance and strong property tax collection; utilities staff reported ongoing capacity and treatment planning work and several infrastructure projects in progress.
Interim Finance Director Amanda Long told the Villa Rica City Council on July 8 that building permits and utility taps were up substantially year‑over‑year and that local option sales tax collections continued to perform well.
Long said permits and sewer taps were up about 50% year‑over‑year and water taps up about 33%. She reported local option sales tax increases of about 9% in Carroll County and 23% in Douglas County for the most recent quarter. Property tax collection rates were reported at roughly 100% for Carroll County and 98% for Douglas County.
Long also noted declines in several bond or special splice fund balances as the city spends proceeds on projects; she said the city had approximately $2 million in bank balances and that solid‑waste revenues and expenses were roughly in balance for the current period.
On utilities, staff reported completion of Cowans Lake dam repairs, increased raw water pumping capacity and installation of bypass power for the North Wastewater Plant. Work is underway or planned on the Weatherstone Lift Station, Church Street water main replacement, and development of an in‑house microbiology laboratory to expand testing capabilities. Staff said they are evaluating options for treatment plant expansion and updating GIS and asset management systems.
Long closed by noting standard budget season activities and that staff will be preparing audit‑service proposals and a proposed millage rate after receiving the Douglas County digest.
