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Demorest City Council approves 2025 budget and adopts 7.16 millage rate after public comment
Summary
After public comment criticizing a tax increase, the Demorest City Council approved the proposed 2025 budget and unanimously adopted a tentative millage rate of 7.16 mills, which the city estimates will raise $471,317 in property tax revenue.
The Demorest City Council on Oct. 22 approved the city’s proposed 2025 budget and adopted a tentative millage rate of 7.16 mills following a public hearing that drew residents’ objections to the tax increase.
Mayor Jerry Harkness opened the hearing on the proposed fiscal 2025 budget and the accompanying millage and invited public comment. City Manager Mark Musselwhite recommended the 7.16 millage rate; the council said the rate represents an increase of about 1.661 mills (a 30.21% increase) compared with the rollback rate cited at the hearing. The city estimated the rate would generate $471,317 in property tax revenue.
Residents raised concerns during the hearing. Marie Evans of Long Street criticized the increase as taxing an "unrealized gain," and said the higher tax burden hurt household budgets, adding that "the city was killing her budget." Amy York of the Northridge subdivision also questioned line items in the proposed spending plan.
On a separate motion during the budget hearing, Councilman Jimmy Davis moved to add $87,000 per year for five years to the fire budget to finance a mini pumper truck. That motion failed for lack of a second. Councilman Shawn Allen then moved to adopt the budget as presented; Allen’s motion, seconded by Councilman Donnie Bennett, passed 3-1, with Davis recorded as the lone dissenting vote.
Following the budget vote, the council held the required public hearing on the tentative millage rate. Councilman Andrew Ferguson moved to adopt the 7.16 millage rate; Councilman Shawn Allen seconded. The motion carried unanimously (4-0).
What passed: the budget as presented and the tentative 7.16 mills. What did not pass: the proposal to add recurring funding to purchase a mini pumper truck, which failed for lack of a second and therefore was not included in the adopted plan.
The council did not provide additional detail in the public record on specific line-item changes beyond the motions recorded at the hearing. The city announced that a draft of the proposed budget was available for public inspection at City Hall prior to the hearings (OCGA 36-81-5). The council adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
