City of Anderson to Vote on $84.7M 24-25 Budget Monday
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson City Council will hold first reading on an $84.7 million budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 Monday night at 6 p.m. in the council chambers downtown. A public hearing on the budget is set for 5 p.m.
The proposed budget, which will require approval of two readings, does not include an increase in tax rates, utility fees, stormwater fees or sanitation fees. It does include utility rate hike for tap fees (new fee $2,000), water/sewer capacity fees ($1,500 per Residential Equivalent Unit), and pretreatment fees.
The budget also includes a 3 percent raise for all full-time city employees, the addition of six additional full-time firefighters, and two additional ACATS transportation team members. An additional $240,000 is also included for public safety in the proposed budget.
Capital projects proposed in the budget include:
$1.5 million for the half-mile stretch of Main Street, which includes not only proper roads but parking spaces area.
The Linley Park Project. Proposed funding for the $13.74 million project could come from a variety of sources, including: $357,000 from leftover special obligation funds, $3.89 million in American Rescue Plan funds, $750,000 from sewer funds, and $3.25 million from hospitality tax funds ($1.75 million from fiscal year 2024 and $1.75 million from fiscal year 2025). The remaining $5.84 million would have come from a bond issue, which requires approval of city council.
Other utility line upgrades and replacements.
Council will also consider a bid to hire a firm to consider plans for the renovation of the Cater’s Lake Park on Monday. The city will vote on hiring Edifice General Contractors to perform pre-construction services for a fee of $30,000. Once a final budget, scope, and timeline for the project have been decided, the council will vote on a final plan and budget.