In a three-hour special meeting Wednesday, the Columbia Board of Aldermen voted to raise taxes by four mills. The current rate is 27 mills, and if the budget is approved, it would increase to 31 mills.
Mayor Justin McKenzie said he believes most people will realize that just about everything has increased in prices, including materials. However, to be able to serve the city better, he feels the increase is necessary.
“Construction costs and replacement costs with everything has gone up,” McKenzie said.
Concerns were voiced about the upcoming annexation trial and the possibility of any and/or all of the proposed area being annexed in the city. Ward 4 Alderman Mike Smith said he felt like if taxes are raised after the annexation is approved, the new city residents will feel like it was done because the new properties joined the city.
McKenzie said the value of a mill is currently $60,773, so raising the taxes four mills would bring an additional $243,092 into the city’s budget.
“Everybody has felt the increase in costs in everything you buy. We are paying more to put fuel in police cars and fire trucks and insurance. It is something everyone feels,” Ward 2 Jason Stringer said.
Stringer believed people would understand that it would be helpful.
“We have so many employees that work below the poverty level – that’s ridiculous. They bust their behinds,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie said some of the employees have gone almost five years without a raise. With the additional funds, things needed, such as a debris truck and additional paving of streets, can also be done. To make the town better, the town needs funding, according to McKenzie.
“Everybody knows that everything has gone up, and it is going up more and more. We got to take care of the city,” Smith said.
Stringer made the motion that was approved 4-0. Ward 1 Alderman Wendell Hammond was absent at the meeting. Stringer said he feels like it would be the best thing to take care of Columbia better.
“If we don’t take care of this town, who will?” Stringer asked rhetorically.
Columbia has the lowest rate of surrounding municipalities regarding the millage rate, even with the increase. Sumrall would be the closest one at 36 mills, with Tylertown being at 55 mills. McKenzie said the overall state average is 36 mills.
The additional millage proposed will have .5 mill going to General Improvement and 3.5 going to General Revenue.
See Thursday’s edition of The Columbian-Progress for a copy of the proposed city budget.
