Hearings tonight on city's budget, tax rate, CIP
Brentwood Home Page news reports
Three public hearings will open tonight's 7 p.m. Brentwood City Commission Meeting. All have something to do with money, budgets and the city's future.

The first seeks public input on the city's new fiscal year budget, which takes effect July 1. The proposed FY 2011-2012 appropriations ordinance was reviewed with the city commissioners at a work session on May 12. Two additional formal public hearings on the budget will be held Tuesday, June 14, and Monday, June 27.

The commission will vote to approve the budget on first reading tonight during the New Business section of the agenda. The second and final reading is planned June 27.

The proposed budget includes significant changes in the Insurance and Other Benefits Activity budget which will lower the amount in that category significantly; a proposed 3 percent merit pay adjustment plus associated benefits, and proposed new positions in the Technology and Parks Departments. The total FY 2012 General Fund budget will remain the same as the current one. Projected revenues for next fiscal year total $30,750,200 while appropriated expenditures will be $30,742,835, leaving a projected year end surplus of $7,365.

The second public hearing, 2011-04, concerns the establishment of the city's property tax rate for the new fiscal year. The proposed tax rate is $.44 per $100 of assessed value of taxable property, down $.05 from the $.49 rate in FY 2011. The $.44 rate reflects the preliminary certified tax rate provided by the Williamson County Property Assessor and takes into account the results of the recently completed reappraisal of taxable property in the County.

"We have been advised that the total taxable value of property in Brentwood has increased by 10.2% since the last reappraisal was conducted in 2006 or five years ago. State law requires the City to establish a certified property tax rate that will generate the same tax levy as last year (excluding new taxable improvements in the past year) before any adjustment can be made to increase the tax rate. While there may be some adjustments to the total taxable value of property due to appeals from individual property owners, the staff does not anticipate a significant enough change in the assessments that would warrant an adjustment to the current proposed tax rate" states the staff report.

The proposed $.44 tax rate represents the same effective tax rate for the City of Brentwood for the 21st year in a row.

The third public hearing offers the chance for the public to comment on the proposed six-year Capital Improvements Program for Fiscal Years 2012-2018.

All of the hearings take place in the second-floor board room in the Municipal Building, 5211 Maryland Way.

Immediately following, the commission will tackle its regular agenda.

Of note are a proposal to revise the general rules of conduct at the Brentwood Library and a resolution authorizing an amendment to the boundary agreement between the cities of Brentwood and Franklin concerning the timing for extension of McEwen Drive, east of Wilson Pike.

For details on the complete agenda and public hearings, click here.