Guyton held a second public hearing on consideration of adopting a millage rate of 2.246 on Thursday. Despite the no rollback in the rate, property taxes for 2008 will increase by 0.11 percent.

“The increase is due to reassessments throughout the year and new growth,” said Guyton City Clerk Debra Scruggs.

Alderman Brenda Lovett gave a report on the proposed 2008-09 fiscal year budget — a grand total of $1,234,947, compared to last year’s total of $1,450,072.

After the hearing, city council held a special called business meeting where they voted and approved the first readings
of two ordinances: to establish the millage rate and to accept the budget.

Other items also approved by council included the second reading of an amendment for the purpose of clarification to the zoning ordinance regarding manufactured homes in R-4 districts and a change order to the sanitary sewer system improvements contract.

According to Ramona Bartos, Guyton city attorney, the amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding manufactured homes was primarily a clarification in its wording. In addition, they deleted and repealed the section that specified: “No building permit shall be issued for any manufactured housing, mobile home, and/or modular home exceeding 10 years of age.”

As for the change order for Y-Delta, Alderman Jeff Lariscy explained that the contractor needed to relocate the waterline and four taps off of the waterline that are interfering with the improvements. Lovett asked if the city was responsible for paying for each change order.

“It depends,” said Mayor Michael Garvin. “The line needed to be replaced ... in the end it will benefit the residents.”