New mill values could shape priorities
It will be September before millage rates for the 2014-15 fiscal year are set in Lowndes County and Columbus, but preliminary tax roll values indicate what the value of each mill will be worth.
SSD projects slight millage increase for FY 2014-2015
Starkville School District officials project the system will require a 65.24-mill tax levy to operate under its Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget, a slight increase from FY 2012-2013’s and FY 2013-2014’s 62.96-mill rate.
Our View: Where’s the list?
During its May 20 meeting, the Columbus City Council voted to table a proposal to pursue $5 million bond to improve the city’s infrastructure, money used primarily for street paving, drainage and sidewalk improvements.
Council tables $5 million infrastructure bond issue
Action on a $5 million bond issue for capital improvements was tabled during Tuesday’s Columbus City Council meeting.
Our View: One more example of city’s misplaced priorities
Late Friday afternoon, Robyn Eastman of J5/Broaddus put the finishing touches on an extensive list of the projects that could be pursued should the city of Columbus secure a $5 million bond for infrastructure improvements.
Infrastructure issues prioritized in each ward
If a majority of councilmen vote in favor of a $5 million bond issue when they meet Tuesday, a 1.1 mill property tax increase is coming to residents and business owners in Columbus.
Council moves closer to capital improvement bond issue
Columbus councilmen Tuesday passed a resolution of intent to issue a $5 million capital improvement bond.
That means that within the next 30 days the city must publish advertisements notifying citizens of its intention to raise taxes in order to pay back a $5 million loan aimed at improving infrastructure in Columbus.
Residents question city’s approach for infrastructure
During a public hearing Thursday on a proposed millage increase for capital improvements in Columbus, more residents expressed concern over the lack of a defined plan and the approval of a long-term loan for short-term fixes than the tax increase that would be needed to fund them.
Our view: City shouldn’t ‘wing it’ on infrastructure repairs
On Thursday, the Columbus City Council held a public forum to discuss the idea of raising taxes to secure a $5 million capital improvement loan to repair, replace and improve city infrastructure, primarily road repair and repaving, drainage and sidewalk improvements.
Our view: City needs long-term infrastructure plan
Thursday, the city council will hold a public hearing on issuing bonds to finance improvements to Columbus’ roads, drainage and sidewalks. Those $5 million worth of bonds, which will be paid back over the next 20 years, will be funded by a 2-mill tax increase.
Council seeks public input on capital improvement
While Columbus councilmen have a working idea of the most needed capital improvements in their wards, all said they plan to use Thursday’s public hearing to prioritize them if they choose to increase millage to pay for them.
City sets April 10 public hearing for tax increase
One week from today, Columbus residents will have their say on a proposed millage increase that would fund a bond issue for capital improvements.
Mayor Robert Smith and city councilmen have scheduled a hearing for April 10 at the Columbus Municipal Complex. The meeting begins at 5 p.m.
City leaders encourage community involvement
What started as a meeting to inform clergymen and community advocates on governmental affairs and seek their feedback became a roll call for city officials and a moment of pause to reflect on the current state of the city and what needs to be done going forward to improve.
Millage increase discussion resurfaces
When asked last week during a working retreat to list ways to bring more money into city coffers, a group of Columbus department heads had several suggestions.
Get the Columbus crime lab accredited and utilize it more effectively. Be more creative in raising fees from events at the Trotter Convention Center. Sell more city-owned real estate.
County could budget more for roads, EMCC
Lowndes County revenues are projected to increase by more than $6 million in the upcoming fiscal year, based on the budget county supervisors will consider later this week.
Board support holds for 2.78-mill tax increase
A majority of Starkville aldermen Tuesday approved advertising a 2.78-mill tax hike, even though one alderman who previously supported the notice last week opposed the matter this week.
New proposed city budget shows tentative surplus
A millage increase is not likely in Columbus next year as city leadership and department heads turned an $860,836.75 deficit into a $34,817.53 surplus after a budget workshop Wednesday.
Our view: Tax increase an inevitability in Starkville
The shoutin’ isn’t over. In fact, it probably hasn’t even begun.
But it appears Starkville will be raising taxes to support its 2014 budget.
Aldermen propose tax hike of 2.78 mill
An almost-3 mill tax increase is likely if Starkville is to tend to increasing expenditures, including a long-overdue pay raise for its employees, departmental requests, outside contributions and its plan to construct a new City Hall and renovate Starkville Police Department’s home.
County supes expect millage value boost in 2014
Citing preliminary figures from the Lowndes County tax assessor’s office, Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders said the value of a general county mill may increase about $40,000, while school millage value could see a jump as high as $57,000.