No tax increase planned for new 2023-24 budget
Following a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26, the Norris City Council is expected to pass the new city budget for 2023-24 with no increase in property taxes.
There is still a possibility that water and sewer rates might be raised for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, however, as the water and sewer budget remains to be finalized.
Last year, Norris water and customers saw steep raises in their bills – 25 percent for sewer service and 10 percent for water – in the 2022-23 budget, part of which was to help pay for employee salary increases and state-mandated improvements in the sewer system.
Just like last year, the new budget for 2023-24 holds the Norris property tax rate at $1.54 per each $100 of assessed value.
The only increase for consumers that has been proposed so far is a $1-a-month raise in the residential trash pickup fee.
For the new year, general fund revenue is expected to total $1,871,309.
Basic expenses are set at $1,716,433, and capital expenditures at $638,400 (excluding water and sewer).
Water and sewer fund revenue is projected to be $1,899,743, with operating expenses of $1,029,755 and capital expenses of $928,140.
Other budget categories include:
• State Street Aid Fund: Revenue, $55,900; capital expenses, $150,000.
• Watershed Fund: Revenue, $91,820; capital expenses, $36,500; operations and maintenance expenses, $85,908.
• Solid Waste Fund: Revenue, $157,572; capital expenses, none; operations and maintenance, $155,500.
Norris currently has no debt, either in the general fund or in the Water and Sewer Commission, which has a separate budget.
But that could change soon. Funding of the upgrades in the sewer system are expected to come from grants and new debt, which would be paid for by sewer rates charged to customers.
Under state law, the city cannot use property taxes or water rate increases to pay for sewer services.