GARNETT — Garnett city commissioners will have to finalize the city’s budget tonight to meet Friday’s publication deadline. The Anderson County Review reported city leaders have been working to avoid a property tax increase by cutting about $18,000 in expenses but are finding the task difficult. Garnett city manager joyce martin has told commissioners the city needs a small tax increase of about 1 mill but commissioners said they want to avoid a property tax increase entirely. Commissioners said they didn’t want to add another tax increase to residents who are facing higher taxes because the county’s mill levy is going up six mills for a new hospital, and the school district’s mill levy is going up three mills because of less state financial aid. The city commissioners have not yet decided if the city will give wage increases to employees for next year or buy a new police patrol car – a buy that’s already been postponed one year. Commissioners haven’t decided if they will raise utility rates but have said they will delay that until after they decided the on budget. The city commission meets at 6 p.m. today at city hall.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 4 p.m.
