County Council to Hold First Vote on FY 23-24 Budget Tonight
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County Council will hold a first reading vote on the fiscal year 2023-24 budget tonight at 6 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown.
The proposed $278 million budget represents an increase of $43 million over the current year’s budget. While it is possible, council has yet to confirm any potential tax increase.
Council has been averse to tax increases for more than 15 years. Meanwhile the county population has added 20,000 citizens, bringing an increase in the required services and support. The county has also deferred some capital maintenance, primarily roofing, and is now facing up to $7.5 million in repair costs, including $3.5 million to the roofing of the historic courthouse.
Council has not increased taxes since a 1.8-mill increase in 2017, and the current millage rate for county taxpayers is 83.3 mills. The last time it was lower was 2006, when the millage rage was 79.8 percent. One mill is equal to $1 in property tax levied on assessed value. A one-mill increase equates to roughly $100 per year per $100,000 assessed.
If council moves ahead on the budget, two more votes are required to make it law.
Council will also consider an ordinance on RV park designs and standards as part of the meeting.