Magnolia has adopted a $2 million 2017-18 budget that includes a one-mill tax increase.
The $2,081,637 budget reflects a $67,000 decrease from the current $2,113,391 budget that expires at the end of the month.
City officials expect to collect $951,000 in revenues from ad valorem taxes, up from $890,000 for the current fiscal year.
Taxes are going up from 35 to 36 mills for the new fiscal year, which will raise taxes on a $100,000 home by $10 per year.
Residents also will see higher monthly garbage bills, which are rising from $11.25 to $13.50.
Mayor Anthony Witherspoon said that reflects a 3 percent increase in the city’s contract with Waste Management.
The city had been underbilling for the service, which is behind by about $10,000 in collections, he said.
This is the second tax increase in as many years. Officials raised taxes by three mills last year but discussed rescinding the millage hike a month into the new budget.
However, officials never took action on eliminating the tax hike, which stayed on the books.
No citizens attended a budget hearing last week — and barely enough town officials did as well.
The meeting was delayed until there was a quorum. Aldermen Joe Cornacchione and Darrell Pounds were absent and the meeting didn’t begin until Alderwoman Becky Magee arrived.
After hearing the proposed budget from Witherspoon, Alderman Clarence Burton Jr., Magee and Alderman Antonio Martin unanimously voted to approve the budget and 1-mill increase.
The budget hearing was orignally set for Aug. 31 but was changed after the city failed to give public notice.
