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McKenzie Council Approves First Reading of Budget, Tax Rates

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McKENZIE (June 13) — During Thursday’s regular monthly meeting, the McKenzie City Council approved on the first of two readings the fiscal year 2019-20 budget.
The budget includes the following property tax rates per $100 assessed value for the tri-county city: $1.0826 for Carroll County residents; $1.1116 for Henry County; and $1.0661 for Weakley County.
The General Fund is estimated to receive $4,710,587.92 in revenues and appropriate $4,636,380.90 in expenditures. The Drug Fund is expected to have $11,800 in revenues and $7,000 in expenditures.
The Water and Sewer Fund will receive an estimated $2,108,111.20 in revenues and spend $2,509,040.
The Debt Service Fund includes an estimated $306,936 in revenues and $282,231 in expenditures.
The Solid Waste Fund is estimated to receive $425,225 in revenues and appropriate $401,696 in expenditures.
The Theatre Fund expects revenues of $87,000 and expenditures of $84,850.

Notable in the budget is a sidewalk on Cedar Avenue from McKenzie Banking Company to Highland Drive, new playground equipment and “Harmony Park,” which will be located near the splash pad and include outdoor musical instruments.
The budget also includes a $.50 across-the-board raise for city employees. Police officers are not included as they recently received a separate raise.
In other business, the council approved the purchase of two sets of Wi-Fi modules for $132,394.80 as part of the LED lighting project.
Changes to the city’s charter were ratified, mostly consisting of language clarification. One specific change allows for municipal fines to be increased above $50 if state law were to ever lift that cap.
Approved on second and final reading was an ordinance to strengthen rules already in place for conduct at the city park. A maximum fine of $50 per day may now be levied for violations of park rules, which include children age 14 and under being accompanied by adults, no pets (except service animals, and those must be appropriately restrained), no smoking or tobacco products of any kind outside of designated areas, no alcoholic beverages or illegal substances of any kind, and no fighting or aggressive behavior.
The board also approved a policy requiring citizens wishing to address the council to give 24 hours notice. Mayor Jill Holland said that this would give department heads or other appropriate parties time to prepare and gather information in order to properly answer the citizen’s questions or concerns. Councilperson Jason Martin voted against the measure.
During the meeting’s designated time for citizen input, Shirley Nanney complimented the city’s seasonal landscape artist, Carol Morrissett, for her hard work caring for the plants around town. Nanney also credited the city for cleaning up a property near her home. The 30-minute meeting ended with a pair of happy announcements. Councilperson Brian Winston announced the birth of his second child, Owen Marshall Winston, with wife Allison on May 25. He weighed eight pounds, two ounces and was 21 and a half inches long. Councilperson Martin announced that he and wife Brittany are expecting their second child, a daughter, in November.

McKenzie, Council, Budget, Tax Rates