2021 2022 Fiscal Year Budget/ Public Hearing Monday June 21/ Lula City Hall -7:00PM

The 2021-2022 General Fund Operational Budget is open to Public Comment Monday June 21^st at 7:00 PM  at Lula City Hall.

The “General Fund Operational Budget” has been developed at length over the past several weeks. The Council was presented with the final changes as proposed by the finance committee Monday (June 14^th) evening during the regular work session. The development of this year’s budget is significant in that the mayor and city council have directed that as in the past 17 years this year’s budget will again not include property taxes. Of the 537 cities in the State of Georgia, Lula remains one of the very few municipalities (less than 80 statewide) to not collect property taxes. The continuing conservative approach by the mayor and council to provide a service level  that reflects the ability to match the revenue stream to cost of services has served the community well, without collecting a property tax. With the past year’s covid pandemic forecasting financial challenges throughout the entire state for the fiscal year, the city chose to limit exposure and delay or reduce expenditures. Fortunately for Hall and Banks County (northeast Georgia)the financial predictions were exceeded by stronger than anticipated revenue in local sales taxes for which Lula depends on greatly.

This year’s general fund operational budget shows revenue of $1,342,025 with a balanced budget and expenditures of $1,342,025. In comparison the current fiscal budget was predicted to be almost $227,000 less in revenue, and surprisingly has exceeded those original projections and currently shows $1,338,184 in revenue year to date. The opportunities and projections for the coming fiscal year present the city council with the prospects of providing continual services and enhancing capital expenses still with a conservative approach even while experiencing increases of cost in services.

In addition, this years “Utility Fund  Operational Budget” follows the same conservative approach that has served the community well even as the demand for services is enhanced by residential growth. This years proposed budget for the Utility Fund shows a revenue stream of $ 931,000 with expenditures of $931,000. With projected increases in revenue primarily coming from water and sewer TCR’s or tap fees and continuous in consumption averages. The challenges for the water and sewer will be the commitment to enhance and replace aging infrastructure so to maintain the level of service the community has grown to expect.

Hard copies of the proposed budget are available  at Lula City Hall, citizen comments are encouraged and in the event you can not attend the public hearing the council welcomes your written comments which can be dropped off at city hall anytime prior to 5 PM on Monday.