Spring Hill board approves tax, budget and several ordinances; funds welcome center

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen on June 2 approved a package of tax, budget and code measures and authorized several contracts and memoranda of understanding, voting 7–0 on each final action.

The board adopted the second and final reading of Ordinance 25‑12 setting property tax rates for fiscal 2025–26 and approved Ordinance 25‑13, the annual budget and tax rate for fiscal 2025–26, after an amendment to add $60,000 for a Spring Hill Welcome Center. Vice Mayor Linville offered the budget amendment to add the Welcome Center line item and Alderman Murray seconded it; the amendment and the ordinance as amended passed 7–0.

Why it matters: the tax and budget measures set revenue and spending levels for the coming fiscal year; Alderman Kanapari stressed that even a stable tax rate will produce higher bills for many homeowners because reassessments increased property values. “I don't want you to be hoodwinked into thinking that because the rate has stayed flat at 0.739, we're not going to see a property tax increase,” he said.

Other measures approved on unanimous votes included: - Ordinance 25‑14, amendments to Articles 8, 11 and 15 of the Unified Development Code (second and final reading); - Resolution 25‑140, authorizing a professional services agreement for on‑call plan review services (approved as amended to incorporate contract edits submitted by Mr. Carter); - Ordinance 25‑11, first reading to establish a city water drought management plan (approved on first reading, 7–0); - Resolution 25‑141, a memorandum of understanding with Columbia State Community College for an accelerated EMT program for Fire Department staff (approved 7–0); - Resolution 25‑142, authorizing funding of the Spring Hill Welcome Center through the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce using tourism funds (approved 7–0); - Ordinance 25‑15, fourth amendment to the FY2024–25 budget (first reading approved, 7–0); - Resolution 24‑143, adopting a revised schedule of authorized positions for FY2025–26 (approved as amended to remove five police officer positions, 7–0); - Ordinance 25‑16 (rezoning ~1.8 acres to rural residential) and Ordinance 25‑17 (text amendment adding a “heavy retail” use and associated standards) — both passed first reading, 7–0; and - Resolution 25‑144, authorizing a contract amendment with V3 for co‑managed information technology services (approved 7–0).

On the contract language: Mr. Carter summarized redline edits submitted that were adopted into Resolution 25‑140’s agreement. He said the edits removed problematic assignment language, deleted indemnity language city staff considered illegal, added the city administrator and city attorney to the contract notice provision, removed arbitration language requiring the city to pay half the cost, and clarified venue as Murray County courts. “Section 12…is impossible for the City, illegal for the City to agree to,” Carter said during the discussion.

On staffing and the budget: Miss Holden told the board that a previously budgeted $20,000,000 in bond proceeds for water and sewer was not borrowed and that she had realigned revenue and fund balance figures to reflect that. The board also approved a revised authorized‑strength schedule after an amendment removing five officer positions.

Quotes and attributions in this article come from the meeting record and are attributed to named participants in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (all recorded votes were unanimous unless noted): - Resolution 25‑136 (recognition of Spring Hill Middle School Girls Softball Team): approved (voice vote recorded “aye; passes”); - Ordinance 25‑12 (tax rates, FY2025–26): approved, 7–0; - Ordinance 25‑13 (annual budget and tax rate, FY2025–26), as amended (+$60,000 for Welcome Center): approved, 7–0; - Ordinance 25‑14 (UDC amendments): approved, 7–0; - Resolution 25‑140 (on‑call plan review professional services), as amended: approved, 7–0; - Ordinance 25‑11 (water drought management plan), first reading: approved, 7–0; - Resolution 25‑141 (MOU with Columbia State Community College — EMT program): approved, 7–0; - Resolution 25‑142 (funding Spring Hill Welcome Center from tourism funds): approved, 7–0; - Ordinance 25‑15 (4th budget amendment FY24–25), first reading: approved, 7–0; - Resolution 24‑143 (authorized positions schedule), amended to remove five officers: approved, 7–0; - Ordinance 25‑16 (rezoning ~1.8 acres to rural residential), first reading: approved, 7–0; - Ordinance 25‑17 (add heavy retail use; text amendment), first reading: approved, 7–0; - Resolution 25‑144 (IT contract amendment with V3): approved, 7–0.

Less urgent details: several items were first readings and will return for second readings where required; staff will return with additional materials where noted by the board (for example, planning staff expected the second reading of the Eastport Farms rezoning to appear alongside any related second‑reading packet items).