Rossville close to budget vote

It appears the Rossville City Council won't revamp the city's tax scheme after all.

The council is poised to approve a budget that would keep taxes and fees the same -- but could cut Rossville Public Library funding to the point that a library official said hours would be reduced or the branch may close.

Following a bruising Sept. 11 meeting at which an angry crowd opposed a property tax hike, the City Council held a special workshop Monday night and now seems ready to scrap a millage increase and stick with a $6.50-per-month administration fee sent to every address with a water meter.

Next, at 5 p.m. Thursday, the council will vote on whether to maintain the existing tax rate. The city plans to tap $105,000 out of its roughly $610,000 in reserves to balance the budget.

"We're not going up on taxes, so it should be easy from here on out," Mayor Teddy Harris said of the budget process.
If the council approves the first reading of the budget Thursday, a second and final budget hearing will be at council's regularly scheduled Oct. 8 meeting.

The proposed budget cuts the library's funding to $54,000 annually, down $12,000 from $66,000 proposed in an earlier budget.

Read More. (Chattanooga TImes Free Press)