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Sweetwater budget draft: no property‑tax increase, bond refunding proposed, SRO hires and capital plan move forward
Summary
City staff presented a budget draft with no property‑tax increase that uses some fund balance, proposes refunding a 2016 bond to lower the interest rate, adds two SRO positions for the high school (one grant‑funded), and lists capital projects (community center, pool, sidewalks) for council review.
City staff presented a budget draft and capital improvement plan to the mayor and board, asking the council to consider first reading at the May meeting so the city can meet public‑notice deadlines and secure state budget certification in a timely way.
Jessica said the draft contains no property tax increase but does use fund balance to cover some capital needs. She outlined several notable items: a proposed refunding of a 2016 TML bond with a remaining balance of $456,700, shifting to a locked 3.99% interest rate that staff estimates would save about $15,000 after closing costs; two new School Resource Officer positions for Sweetwater High School (the state grant covers one position; the second would be shared 60/40 with the school board); and capital projects including the community center, pool completion, and sidewalks tied to TDOT/TAP funding decisions.
On personnel and benefits, the draft includes a 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees, a proposed personnel reorganization (moving Savannah to the front office and filling a vacancy), and inclusion of the one‑time $250,000 TCRS upfront cost if the board adopts the pending resolution. Jessica flagged a $92,000 recurring contract in the police budget that covers license‑plate readers, tasers (with training cartridges), and body‑worn camera equipment and storage.
Jessica requested the council approve first reading of the budget on May 4 to allow the required newspaper notice and a final reading in June, which would help secure state responses and permit planned debt transactions and purchases. No formal vote occurred at the workshop; staff asked for direction and signaled items would appear on the formal May agenda.
