Loudon approves budget

Loudon City Council voted Monday to keep property taxes unchanged and approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Highlights of the new budget came in the form of individual resolutions as requested by council members at the May 24 meeting.

Additions include a new designated position for an information technology technician.

“We currently do not have the capacity to service all internal IT needs in the city departments, whether they be within city patrol cars or on city desktops,” Ty Ross, city manager, said.

A new department was also created by resolution at the May meeting. The Facilities and Maintenance Department will combine Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments.

Mark Harrell, formerly the parks and recreation director, will now be the facilities and maintenance director. Michael Hogan, engineer, was appointed city engineer.

Other positions added include a codes enforcement officer, one full-time patrol officer and a downtown development coordinator.

This year’s budget adds a 3% increase in current employer contribution levels to the self-funded benefit health plan, which will allow the fund balance to exceed $1 million.

Unlike last year’s static budget, a cost-of-living adjustment was included. A 3% adjustment will be granted to all full-time employees, and a $2 wage increase will be granted to all part-time employees.

Councilwoman Tammi Bivens and Councilman Tim Brewster motioned and seconded, respectively, to adopt the budget on second and final reading. The motion passed unanimously.

Council gave the go-ahead on second reading for a reduced tax rate for the coming fiscal year. {/span}

“Your budget takes into account expenditures as well as revenues,” Ross said during the May 24 council meeting. “The tax rate we’re putting forward is the certified tax rate. It is a reduction in 14 cents from the prior year’s rate … This is in no way couched as a tax increase. This is the certified rate after the reappraisal and everything that’s inside this proposed budget is within the budget amount.”

The rate was set at $1.0993.

“This is again 14 cents lower than our previous rate, and it was recommended by manager Ross and (finance) director (Nicole) Curtis that we can fit the recommended budget within this certified tax rate so we can meet the budget,” Jeff Harris, Loudon mayor, said.

Bivens and Councilman Tim Dixon motioned and seconded, respectively, to approve the new rate. The motion passed unanimously.

In other news, Loudon City Council:

• Awarded a fuel bid for Low Sulfur Undyed Diesel from Valley Oil Company at $2.4290 per gallon.

• Awarded a fuel bid for 87 octane 100% unleaded gasoline from Petroleum Traders at $2.4765 per gallon.

• Approved the creation of the Information Technology Services Fund.

• Approved amendments to the FYE 2020-21 budget.

• Amended the pay classification plan.

• Approved a change order for the Queener Road improvement project.

• Awarded a bid for the capital outlay note to Pinnacle Bank.

• Approved the surplus and donation of 1996 Ferrara Spartan Fire Engine to the Kiuta Volunteer Fire Department.