COLUMBUS – Columbus Town Council is seeking public comments on its proposed 2017-2018 budget.

A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 15 at 6 p.m. at town hall regarding the proposed budget. Town council is scheduled to approve the budget following the public hearing as well as to approve an updated schedule of fees for the town.

Columbus is proposing a $2,409,598 budget for next year, with the new budget year beginning on July 1.

There are no increases in property taxes and a 0.52-cent increase in the fire tax rate.

The property tax rate for the general fund will remain the same at 35 cents per $100 of property valuation with the fire department’s rate going from 7 cents to 7.52 cents.

By Columbus leaving the tax rate the same, the town is actually decreasing what the town will receive in property tax revenue because of the county’s recent property revaluation. In order to go revenue neutral, the town would have needed to raise its total tax rate to 43.32 cents instead of keeping the rate of 42.52 cents.

Columbus plans next year to use $35,680 of Powell Bill funding from the state to resurface and improve sidewalks and also plans to use $22,013 from its fund balance to make the annual payment on the police department expansion loan.

Capital expenditures proposed for next year include a new diesel lawn mower for the streets department and a new police vehicle.

There are no increases proposed to the town’s water, sewer or garbage rates next year.

The town does plan to rebuild the BP lift station next year with water and sewer funding as well as other repairs to the system.

The town’s proposed budget can be viewed at columbusnc.com.