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Spring Hill board approves budget, tax rate and multiple resolutions in 7-0 vote
Summary
At its June 2 meeting the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the fiscal 2025–26 budget and tax rate, adopted several ordinances and resolutions, and approved contract and staffing actions. Most measures passed unanimously, with the board adding funding for a welcome center as an amendment to the budget.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Spring Hill on Monday voted unanimously on a package of budget, tax and administrative measures, including final approval of the city’s tax rate and its fiscal year 2025–26 budget.
On second and final reading the board approved Ordinance 25-12 adopting tax rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 (vote recorded as 7–0). The board likewise approved Ordinance 25-13 on second and final reading, adopting the annual budget and tax rate for fiscal 2025–26 after the board approved an amendment to add $60,000 to support the Spring Hill Welcome Center operated in partnership with the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce (amendment and ordinance passed 7–0).
The board also approved changes to the Unified Development Code by second and final reading of Ordinance 25-14 (7–0); authorized on-call professional plan review services by approving Resolution 25-140 as amended (7–0); and approved a series of other consent and regular-agenda items, including a memorandum of understanding with Columbia State Community College for an internal EMT program (Resolution 25-141, 7–0) and a contract amendment for co-managed information technology services (Resolution 25-144, 7–0).
While the votes were unanimous, Alderman Canapari raised a point about the local tax burden during discussion of the tax rate and budget. “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, explaining that reassessments can increase individual bills even when the nominal rate is unchanged.
The board also took first reading actions on several items: Ordinance 25-11, to establish a municipal water drought management plan; Ordinance 25-15, the fourth amendment to the 2024–25 budget; Ordinance 25-16, a rezoning related to Eastport Farms; and Ordinance 25-17, a text amendment to add a “heavy retail” use and related design standards. Those first readings passed on a 7–0 vote and will return for second readings, where applicable.
City attorney revisions were a notable part of the board’s approval of the on-call plan-review contract (Resolution 25-140). City attorney Mr. Carter presented redlined changes the board accepted, removing certain assignment language, deleting an indemnity clause the city could not accept, adding the city administrator and city attorney to notice provisions, removing arbitration language requiring shared payment, and clarifying venue in Murray County courts. Carter noted the agreement includes an auto-renew clause but said the contract’s 90-day nature makes the clause acceptable in this instance.
Votes at a glance (selected items) - Resolution 25-136 (recognizing Spring Hill Middle School girls softball): passed (voice vote recorded as aye). - Ordinance 25-12 (tax rates, second and final reading): approved, 7–0. - Ordinance 25-13 (annual budget and tax rate, second and final reading) as amended to add $60,000 for the Spring Hill Welcome Center: approved, 7–0. - Ordinance 25-14 (UDC amendments, second and final reading): approved, 7–0. - Resolution 25-140 (professional services for on-call plan review) as amended to incorporate city attorney redlines: approved, 7–0. - Resolution 25-141 (MOU with Columbia State Community College for an EMT program): approved, 7–0. - Resolution 25-142 (authorizing funding for the Spring Hill Welcome Center from tourism funds): approved, 7–0. - Resolution 25-144 (contract amendment with V3 for co-managed IT services): approved, 7–0. - Resolution 24-143 (schedule of authorized positions, as amended to remove 5 officers): approved, 7–0.
Why it matters: The board’s actions set the city’s revenue and spending policies for the coming fiscal year and authorized services and agreements that affect permitting turnaround, public safety staffing and tourism promotion. The unanimous votes indicate broad board agreement, though members pressed for clarity on how nominal tax rates translate to individual property bills when reassessments occur.
What’s next: Several items that received only first reading will return for a second reading before final adoption. The city attorney’s redline changes to the professional services agreement will be included in the executed contract, and staff said they will be copied on future correspondence related to that agreement.
