Smyrna OKs new budget with no tax increase

The new Smyrna budget was approved 5-1 June 18 by the Smyrna City Council.

Opposed was Councilwoman Susan Wilkinson.

To be in effect July 1 through June 30, 2019, the $92 million budget is $6.8 million less than this year’s revised budget of nearly $99 million - almost a 7 percent reduction.

For the thirteenth consecutive year, the millage rate will remain at 8.99 mills.

Among the budget changes are:

• 11 new full-time positions.
• new network monitoring software for cybersecurity.
• longevity pay eligibility for all city employees.
• signing bonuses and five-year retention bonuses for police officers.
• increased salaries for city employees.
• a $100,000 transit feasibility study with 80 percent to be paid by the federal government.

Rating agency Standard and Poor’s has given Smyrna its highest rating of AAA with a stable outlook, meaning “access to low-interest rates when new debt is issued,” said Smyrna City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones and Finance Director Kristin Robinson in a memo to Mayor Max Bacon and the City Council.