The Jay Town Council discussed several rate increases, including the proposed millage rate and council members salaries, at its Tuesday, Sept. 4 meeting.
Jay area residents recently received TRIM notices in the mail and they include a requested increased fire assessment for county residences, businesses and vacant land located within several fire districts, including Jay and Munson.
The millage rate in Jay currently is 2 percent. The proposed increase would increase the rate to 2.5 percent. According to the Santa Rosa County website, the Truth In Millage (TRIM) law was designed to inform property owners of their rights as taxpayers and the Santa Rosa County property appraiser mails TRIM notices to every property owner of record each year in mid-August.
The assessments requested for Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU)-funded fire districts in the north end of Santa Rosa County range by square footage and start at $103 per residence up to 2,700 sq. ft. and $155 for those 2,700 sq. ft and greater, while commercial (non-residential) rates are $.038 per sq. ft. and vacant land will be $13 per parcel.
The cost assessed for capital needs for the fiscal year 2018-2019 in Jay is $85,000 for the sub station. These capital needs are funded with TRIM monies.
In other business, Mayor Shon Owens brought up the issue of council member and mayor salaries, noting that they have been fixed for as long as anyone can remember. Councilwoman Jane Hayes made a motion to increase council members' pay from $200 to $300 a month and the mayor's pay from $300 to $500 a month. The motion passed unanimously.
A public hearing on the ordinances to increase salaries of the council and mayor will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 at 6 pm at Jay City Hall located at 3695 Highway 4 in Jay.
