Oakwood residents’ tax rate for 2012 stands unchanged over the current rate.

The city expects to see $41,000 less in revenue by keeping the rate at 2.48 mills for the 12th straight year, with 1 mill equal to $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value and property assessed at 40 percent.

The City Council gave final approval to the tax rate Monday in a specially called meeting.

It now moves on to budget discussions, holding the first public hearing on the budget Oct. 31.

City officials are proposing a $3.5 million general fund budget for fiscal 2012, which begins Jan. 1, compared to a $3.6 million budget this year.

The city isn’t budgeting to replace two key administrators: former Assistant City Manager Patti Doss-Luna and Planning Director Larry Sparks, who retired earlier this year.

But it is proposing a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for employees.

Also, the city is looking at buying three new police cars and developing a fully fledged program with the Georgia Mountains YMCA in 2012.

The city has contracted with the YMCA through Dec. 31 to begin development of the program, including evaluating future needs. The cost for that effort is $12,000.

Overall, the city’s revenues will exceed expenses by about $330,000, but City Manager Stan Brown expects that amount will be used to cover debts and pay for maintenance and repair efforts.

Final adoption for the city’s budget is slated for Nov. 14. Tax bills are scheduled to be mailed Dec. 1.

The Oakwood City Council also approved a change to its call for a city election on Nov. 8, this time allowing for more poll workers.
Staff writers Jeff Gill and Ashley Fielding contributed to this report.