Water/sewer rates also proposed to increase 5 percent

COLUMBUS — Columbus residents could be looking at some increases next fiscal year, as the town’s recommended budget includes a 5-cent tax increase and 5 percent higher water and sewer rates.

The Columbus Town Council met Thursday and was presented the draft budget by town manager Tim Barth.

The town plans to hire an additional police officer, so that two officers can be on duty at all times, as well as pay for a salary survey, budgeted at $40,465.

“The combination of adding an additional road officer, salary adjustments for all positions, and the increase in prices on items, most notably gasoline, are the primary reasons for the 5-cent proposed tax increase,” Barth said.

The town is currently looking for another vehicle fuel provider, as Columbus currently gets gasoline at a reduced cost from the former school bus garage.

The school is going to diesel, and there is about two months’ worth of gasoline left, Barth said. Barth said fuel prices will increase once the current supply is gone.

The property tax rate is proposed to increase from 42.46 cents per $100 of valuation to 47.46 cents per $100 of valuation next fiscal year.

“On a $100,000 house, the increase would be $50 per year,” Barth said. “For a $150,000 house, it would be $75 per year.”

If approved, Barth said this is the first property tax increase since 2005.

Columbus expects to receive $58,020 more in property tax revenue from the tax increase.

“The total real property tax value is projected at $116,041,940, which is an increase of $1,320,940 over last year,” Barth said. “These numbers reflect the property near the Hatch Plant that was annexed in December of 2017.”

Town staff also is projecting a 4.5 percent increase in fiscal year 2018-2019 sales tax revenue. Barth said in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, the town expects to have received a little over $252,000 in sales tax. With the expectation of additional growth from the World Equestrian Games, Barth said the town is being conservative in projecting $264,000 in sales tax for next fiscal year.

The town’s new fiscal year begins July 1, with the new budget requiring approval by June 30.

Council has a budget work session scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at town hall to discuss the draft budget.