The Snellville city council recently approved a $13,063,295 Fiscal Year 2021 balanced budget while trying to predict how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect city revenue. The city anticipates a 40 percent decrease in hotel/motel room tax, a 20 percent decrease in the Title Ad Valorem Tax and a 25 percent reduction in intangible taxes.
The approved budget includes a salary freeze for city employees, but a “once-in-a-decade” 27th bi-weekly paycheck will result in a $221,392 budget increase.
For the sixth straight year the city will maintain a millage rate of 4.588 mills. Assuming property values increase this, along with new development, will result in additional revenue for the city.
Two other revenue increases are the result of $385,000 in Community Development Block Grant revenue for the city’s proposed greenway and a projected $300,000 from school zone traffic cameras. Without these expenditures, the FY21 budget would be down by $491,961 or 4 percent.
Highlights of the budget include $721,000 for street resurfacing and $800,000 in stormwater projects. Household garbage and recycling pick-up is provided at no charge, saving homeowners about $260 per year.
