Woodstock Sets 2014 Budget With No Planned Tax Increase

The Woodstock City Council on Monday voted to approve its 2014 fiscal year budget,  which is based on the city holding its tax rate steady.

The proposed budget is set at $33.7 million, slightly higher than the current fiscal year budget of $33.6 million. 

The city's fiscal year starts July 1 and ends June 30.

The proposed general fund is $16.9 million, water and sewer fund at $10.4 million and the remaining special revenue and service funds — which includes impact fees, SPLOST, hotel/motel taxes, Greenprints, capital equipment fund, debt services, workers and health compensation, tax allocation district and confiscated assets — are proposed at $6.4 million.

Included in the budget is:

• 3 percent cost of living adjustments for full-time employees;
• added two full-time police officer positions; 
• added two full-time street maintenances potions; 
• added one full-time trails maintenance position, which will be filled in spring 2014;
• added two part-time positions in the Information Technology department;
• added one part-time position in Human Resources; 
• converted nine part-time positions in Parks and Recreation Department; and
• eliminated one full-time position in the Finance Department. 

The city's millage rate is currently 7.889 mills and the city expects to keep the rate the same. A homeowner whose house is valued at $200,000, with the standard $5,000 exemption, would pay around $592 in city property taxes.

Chief Financial Officer Robert Porche noted the city expects its gross tax digest to rise about 1.2 percent after the appeals process is complete. 

He also said the city's recurring revenues — motor vehicle taxes, building permit and inspection fees and existing fine schedule — are all projected to rise by about 6 percent in 2014.