Above, Century Town Concil members approve tentative millage rate and budget for FY 2024-2025.
In a public hearing at its Tuesday night meeting, the Century Town Council unanimously approved a resolution setting the FY 2024-2025 millage rate at .9204 mils, the same as last year, which is greater than the rolled-back rate of 0.9781 mils by 5.900 percent, according to administrative assistant Mallory Walker. At the same millage rate as last year, the town will receive $4,974 more than last year in ad valorem taxes.
The gross taxable value of the town, certified by the county property appraiser as $59,898,014, which will generate $55,122, up from last year’s $50,148. Councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson attended the meeting by phone.
Councilwoman Alicia Johnson made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilman Henry Cunningham. The motion carried.
Next, the council approved a resolution adopting the budget for FY 2024-2025 at $10,670,009.
Councilwoman Shelisa McCall made a motion to approve the budget. Councilman Cunningham seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
There was some debate on whether the complete budget had been made available to the public prior to the public hearing.
William Reynolds, with northescambia.com, asked the council if they had a copy of the complete budget, not just the budget summary. Reynolds told Council President Dynette Lewis that he has asked for a copy of the complete budget through a public records request but had not received one.
“Why was there no copy available to the public before tonight?” asked Reynolds. “You’re approving numbers. The public has no idea what you are approving.”
Reynolds said he repeatedly asked for a complete budget summary but has not received it.
Century Mayor Luis Gomez said Reynolds was sent a complete budget summary and everything the council had at the time.
“He sent an email back saying ‘I want a complete budget’,” said Gomez. “We had sent him everything that we had and the council was issued a complete budget summary.”
“So the town did not have a complete budget last week?” asked Reynolds.
Gomez said the council members had everything they needed to complete the business at the meeting. Councilwoman Lewis then called for a vote.
