Operations funded, no millage increase
by Aimee Robinette
The Bolivar Bullet
Earlier this month, the Board of Aldermen passed the 2020 Ad Valorem Tax Resolution, allowing for the levying of property taxes to support the City’s 2021 budget.
The resolution details the current tax millage at 50 mills, which is broken down among four different budgetary funds. Such funds that will receive tax revenues are the General Fund, Park Fund, Library Fund and Bond and Interest Fund. According to Cleveland city clerk Dominique Green, the board did not increase taxes this year, and the city has historically levied taxes for the four funds named pursuant to applicable state statutes. Last year’s millage was also 50 mills.
Within the General Fund, which will receive 15 mills, various city operations are funded including the police department, volunteer fire department, public works, engineering, municipal court and supervision and finance. Specifically, tax revenue funds salaries, equipment purchases, improvement and maintenance of public property, sanitation, maintenance of public streets and capital outlay, which is money used to maintain, upgrade and acquire capital assets.
The Parks Fund will receive 2 mills for constructing, supporting, and maintaining parks and playgrounds. The Library Fund will also receive 2 mills for support, upkeep and management of the Robinson Carpenter Memorial Library.
The Bond and Interest Fund will receive 31 mills, in which such tax collections assist in the payment of municipal bonded debt such as the new fire station, road repairs and other city projects.