Suwanee City Council adopted Tuesday evening the $11.8 million operating budget for fiscal year 2012, which is about $420,000 less than the adjusted FY2011 budget.
The adopted operating budget proposes a small decrease of 0.5 mills in the millage rate. The proposed millage rate, which City Council is expected to consider in August, is 5.65 mills.
"We're pleased to be able to hold the line on operational expenses and to reduce slightly the burden on taxpayers during this sustained economic downturn, all while continuing to provide high service levels for our citizens," said City Manager Marty Allen.
Allen noted that while the City of Suwanee has planned for an overall slight decrease in revenues, it does expect a modest increase in two areas. Suwanee's 76% population growth from 2000 to 2010, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, will account for an increase in revenues from state and local allocations in certain categories, such as excise taxes. Also, said Allen, Suwanee is seeing evidence that development will be comparable to pre-bubble (pre-2005) levels, providing a small increase in building permit income over the previous couple of years.
Some of the new expenditures covered in Suwanee's 2012 general fund budget include:
~Contract for maintenance of right-of-way areas along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, previously provided by Gwinnett County
~One new full-time position, a budget analyst in the financial services department, and one new part-time position, a dispatcher in the police department, as well as 12 additional hours/week for part-time custodial services
~A 2.5 percent merit cost of living adjustment for employees
~$75,000 for the 20/20 Vision strategic plan (total cost for the plan is budgeted at $150,000; $75,000 was included in the 2011 budget)
~Four new police vehicles and a new truck and mowing equipment for public works
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/6/239769