The Abbeville City Council voted to adopt a property tax rollback rate of 9.515 mills during its November meeting, while reviewing a proposed budget and discussing fire department funding, animal control changes, and continuing payroll account overdraft charges.
The rollback lowers the rate from 9.7 mills. Council member Jo Darton made the motion, Mayor Pro Tem Penny Harris seconded it, and the motion passed on a voice vote.
City Clerk Victoria McWhorter said adopting a higher rate would require additional advertisements and three public hearings, delaying property tax bills. Attorney Toni Sawyer told council members an earlier vote to increase the rate was void because the required process had not been completed. Mayor Bruce Greene said the city would proceed with the rollback and begin planning earlier if it considers an increase next year.
Council members also reviewed a revised proposed budget of $1,290,000.00 but did not adopt it. Sawyer said the city must make the proposal available for public review, publish notice, and hold a public hearing at least one week before final adoption. Hearing and adoption dates remained to be arranged. Questions centered on fire department expe...