Millage Rate Set, Budget Vote Delayed in Hiram

Though the Hiram City Council had been expected to approve the budget for the new fiscal year during its regular meeting Tuesday, the council may require an extra called meeting later this month to get that done.  

After approving the minutes from its regular August meeting and an additional special called meeting later in the month, the council had one item of visitor business and two items of old business, both of which were budget-related.

Former Hiram mayor Carmen Rollins asked that the council meet with her regarding some items on the last fiscal year’s budget. Rollins said she wanted to make sure that some things were understood before closing out the previous budget and suggested that this be done before beginning with the new fiscal year. Councilwoman Teresa Philyaw asked for a delay on the agenda item to approve the new budget until the meeting request from Rollins could be accomplished.

The council ultimately decided to leave the agenda item and one other budget-related item tabled until a special meeting could be called to resolve it, or until the council reconvenes next month.

In other business, Environmental Health Specialist Chris Collier addressed the council regarding the state of septic systems in the downtown area. Collier told the council that the septic system has its limits and may not continue to be aligned with the types of businesses in the downtown area and could ultimately start to limit what can come in and what can’t.

Philyaw expressed her concerns over any potential impact on restaurants, which she characterized as vital to any downtown. “We want the downtown to continue to grow and thrive,” she said.  

The council’s new business included:

• Chief Gary Yandura presented the promotion of Officer Jessie Dunbar to police sergeant.

• The council voted to set the millage rate at 2.3 mills and rolled it back 2.3 mills, which results in zero property taxes in the city of Hiram, and ad valorem tax is 0 mills. According to City Clerk Terri Graham, the city is required to set the millage rate but then rolls it back to zero.