By Mark Archibald, Tri- County Chronicle
The Athens City Council was updated by City Manager Elizabeth Borstad and Finance Director Sarah Smith concerning details of the proposed 2026-2027 Fiscal Year budget during Monday’s regular council meeting.
The General Fund and the city’s utility fund are projected to be essentially balanced, with revenue to the General Fund expected to be $17.4 million, Expenses are anticipated at $17.3 million.
The Utility Fund’s revenue and expenses are approximately $8 million.
The council also set the tax rate at $0.0532751 per $100 of taxable valuation. The rate is the same as the previous years. There will be public hearings on the budget and tax rate on Aug. 24.
The roll call vote to adopt the proposed tax rate was unanimous. The council is expected to consider the budget and tax rate during the Sept. 14 council meeting.
The council approved a resolution awarding a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Garver Engineering, a professional engineering firm for environmental engineering services, at Athens Municipal Airport. The council also authorized the City Manager to negotiate scope and fee for proposed projects.
A public hearing was held to consider a request to modify Chapter 22, Article III, Section 22- 21, of the City Code of Ordinances pertaining to multifamily dwellings to include requirements for condominiums.
No action was taken by the council during the first reading of the ordinance.
A requested zoning change from Single-family residential – 7 to Commercial with a Specific Use Permit for “Antenna (Commercial)”. If approved, the zoning change and SUP would clear the way for a 190 ft. self-support wireless communication cell phone tower, located on Vallevista Drive in Athens.
No action followed Monday’s public hearing.
The placement of the town may be considered after a second reading of the ordinance at a future council meeting
The council also approved the consent agenda prior to holding an Executive Session which yielded no action.
The Athens City Council meets regularly on the second and fourth Monday of the month in the Civic Hall, Room 216 of the Cain Center, 915 S. Palestine St. in Athens.
Be sure to grab The Tri-County Chronicle’s first official copy and click here to subscribe to the full printed copy, released every Friday, beginning August 21!