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Paris City Council adopts $24.44 million budget; schedules separate tax-rate vote
Summary
The Paris City Council adopted the fiscal 2020–21 budget on Sept. 14, approving a $24,443,660 general-fund plan and setting a separate public vote on the property tax rate for the next day; council members praised staff preparation and the budget passed unanimously.
The Paris City Council adopted its fiscal 2020–21 budget on Sept. 14, approving a $24,443,660 general-fund ordinance and scheduling a separate public vote on the property tax rate for a special meeting the following day. The council voted unanimously to pass the budget after a brief presentation and public hearing that drew no speakers.
Path, who presented the budget and the preparatory material for the required separate tax-rate hearing, said the combined property tax rate under consideration is about "48¢" this year, down from 51¢ last year. "Although the property evaluation has gone up 5%, we've decreased our rate by 7%," Path said, describing the rate as the figure supporting the fiscal 2020–21 budget.
The ordinance lays out operating and utility allocations, with the presenter listing general government at about $1.2 million, emergency services at $15 million, public works at $4.8 million and a proposed water and sewer operating and debt-service budget totaling roughly $15 million. Path said the overall increase from the prior year is under $1 million.
Council members praised staff work on the budget. "This has just been an absolutely wonderful process," said Councilmember Knox, thanking staff for responsiveness and preparation. Councilmember comments focused on staff cooperation and readiness to answer detailed questions, and the motion to adopt the ordinance carried by unanimous voice vote.
Under state law, the council must hold a separate hearing and vote to set the property tax rate; Path noted the rate decision cannot be made the same night as the budget and the council set a separate hearing for 5:30 p.m. the next day. The public hearings on both the tax rate and the budget were held in accordance with statutory notice requirements.
The council's action establishes spending authority for the city for the fiscal period beginning Oct. 1, 2020, and ending Sept. 30, 2021. The budget ordinance and the related packet—filed with the city—provide line-item detail for departments and enterprise funds.
