Commerce council approves budget

In approving a document that calls for $358,000 in property tax revenue, the council will either have to raise taxes this fall or make major adjustments to the budget.

“If we vote and it does pass, it includes the tax increase, right?” asked mayor pro tem Keith Burchett.

City manager Clarence Bryant answered in the affirmative — noting that the amount of the increase will depend on the tax digest, which won’t be known until fall.

Councilman Mark Fitzpatrick made the motion to approve the budget, with Archie D. Chaney Jr. providing the second. Clark Hill and Johnny Eubanks supported the motion, while Darren Owensby and Burchett voted against it.

As for the actual tax rate, the council will set it in the fall when the digest is complete and staff can calculate the exact rate necessary to provide the revenue.