The city of Lookout Mountain, Ga., opened its monthly meeting with discussion of the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023. An amendment is needed at the end of fiscal year 2021-2022 to account for unexpected expenses that took place said Mayor David Bennett. Highlights of the amendment include a projection that the general fund will end with a surplus of $147,000. Losses are expected in other areas. An estimated $15,000 loss is predicted in the solid waste fund and $33,000 in the water/sewer fund.
Highlights of the draft budget for the coming year include no property tax increase at this time; however, the mayor is making a recommendation for a 2 percent increase. An annual fee of $25 for all customers is proposed in the solid waste fund budget, and sewer rates reflect a 15 percent rate increase, which is around $7 monthly, per household. This budget will include a 4 percent raise to employees and debt service for the town center will be paid 100 percent out of SPLOST funds and from hotel/motel taxes.
The mayor is scheduling meetings individually with each of the councilmembers to discuss the proposed budget before the next council meeting.
The higher rate for water and sewer is necessary due to: the losses in operations this year; the cost to build a new pump station; and because WWTA, which processes the sewage, continues to have rate increases. Chairman of the sewer board Wes Hasden said in 18 months since the original estimate to build the pump station was received, the cost changed from just under $1 million to slightly over $2 million. The new facility is needed because the existing one is 22 years old, and replacement parts are not available. The new estimate is also subject to change, he said. A grant for $600,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission for this project was already approved, and it is hoped that the amount will be increased because of the additional cost to build the station. Other increases may be caused by the station’s location on a rock shelf, which could be expensive to build around, but Mr. Hasden said it would be more expensive to move it. Also, a retaining wall may be needed to separate the pump station from a nearby creek in the event there is ever an overflow.
The council approved spending up to $61,700 to build the Joe Wilson Park that will serve as an introduction into the city. Designed around the theme of Irish fairy rings, it will be at both sides of the intersection of Red Riding Hood Trail and Lula Lake Road in front of the new city hall. Community volunteer Jimmy Campbell is heading the design and construction of this new park. Components of the cost include $10,000 to remove several trees, which the council approved previously. Additional estimated costs include $21,000 for a sprinkler system and $40,00 for garden costs. The council approved using $61,700 from SPLOST funds.
The area in front of the city hall will be developed into commercial space by Wes Robbins. He has proposed that living spaces such as apartments, condos or vacation rentals be allowed on the second level. After some councilmembers expressed opposition to short-term vacation rentals in the space, a vote passed to refer the request to the planning commission. Living spaces would require a change to the town center zoning. The planning commission will make a recommendation, and the council has the option of revising, objecting to or accepting it and will make the final decision.
The public works department is busy with ongoing projects and is planning ahead for upcoming work. Councilmember Kevin Leckenby, the liaison with the department, said SEC gas company is in the process of connecting the new lines on Hardy Road and Tinkerbell Lane. Brush pickup continues, and residents can see the zone progress on the city’s website at lookoutmtnga.com. People are reminded to keep brush piles manageable so a tractor is able to pick them up. The stonework across from city hall is now finished, but sidewalk repair is delayed.
The city’s repair projects include a section of Wood Nymph Trail behind hole No. 2 on the LMC golf course and the gazebo across from the city hall. The commissioner said that non-permitted items are being placed on the road for the public works employees to pick up, which is creating problems. The department is considering issuing a penalty fee to the offending party. A full list of non-permitted items is available from City Manager Kenny Lee, and he can be contacted at (706) 820-1586. The next dumpster day will be Saturday, June 4. A second “spring cleaning dumpster” may be made available.
Commissioner Taylor Watson, representing the fire and police department, said the recent fundraising event for the fire department at Café on the Corner was a great success. She thanked Ruth Oehmig for being so supportive. Funds raised from the event will help buy equipment for the fire department. She also said the city is still discussing options for how to handle stray and lost dogs.
After not being able to have the Fairyland Festival for two years, the fundraiser was an amazing success this year, said Councilmember Caroline Williams. The big crowd included students, both current and past, and folks from every area of Lookout Mountain. It was a great community effort, she said. The fifth grade field trip was also held for the first time in two years at Camp Lookout.
The Garden Club of America recently recognized and honored Jimmy Campbell, who has volunteered his time and talents to lead efforts to beautify the city of Lookout Mountain, Ga. He has been in charge of coordinating the planning, design and building of gardens and trails around the city, from concept through completion. He secured grants to pay for the various projects and worked with landscape architects, local garden clubs and nursery suppliers for each of the new parks. The Fairy Trail Garden on Whitt Road opened in September. Joe Wilson Park, which is now in the planning stage, will be expanded and built in front of the city hall along Lula Lake Road. Mr. Campbell has also planned a network of trails and paths that will serve as connectors throughout city, and he was responsible for putting together the partnership between the city and the Lookout Mountain Conservancy to restore gardens and build a park at the five-acre site where the Sims family previously operated a motel and gardens. The award he was given acknowledges the “exceptional contributions as a talented leader who is promoting the knowledge and love of gardening, as well as to restore, improve and protect the environment.”
The next meeting will be June 9 at 6 p.m.
Highlights of the draft budget for the coming year include no property tax increase at this time; however, the mayor is making a recommendation for a 2 percent increase. An annual fee of $25 for all customers is proposed in the solid waste fund budget, and sewer rates reflect a 15 percent rate increase, which is around $7 monthly, per household. This budget will include a 4 percent raise to employees and debt service for the town center will be paid 100 percent out of SPLOST funds and from hotel/motel taxes.
The mayor is scheduling meetings individually with each of the councilmembers to discuss the proposed budget before the next council meeting.
The higher rate for water and sewer is necessary due to: the losses in operations this year; the cost to build a new pump station; and because WWTA, which processes the sewage, continues to have rate increases. Chairman of the sewer board Wes Hasden said in 18 months since the original estimate to build the pump station was received, the cost changed from just under $1 million to slightly over $2 million. The new facility is needed because the existing one is 22 years old, and replacement parts are not available. The new estimate is also subject to change, he said. A grant for $600,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission for this project was already approved, and it is hoped that the amount will be increased because of the additional cost to build the station. Other increases may be caused by the station’s location on a rock shelf, which could be expensive to build around, but Mr. Hasden said it would be more expensive to move it. Also, a retaining wall may be needed to separate the pump station from a nearby creek in the event there is ever an overflow.
The council approved spending up to $61,700 to build the Joe Wilson Park that will serve as an introduction into the city. Designed around the theme of Irish fairy rings, it will be at both sides of the intersection of Red Riding Hood Trail and Lula Lake Road in front of the new city hall. Community volunteer Jimmy Campbell is heading the design and construction of this new park. Components of the cost include $10,000 to remove several trees, which the council approved previously. Additional estimated costs include $21,000 for a sprinkler system and $40,00 for garden costs. The council approved using $61,700 from SPLOST funds.
The area in front of the city hall will be developed into commercial space by Wes Robbins. He has proposed that living spaces such as apartments, condos or vacation rentals be allowed on the second level. After some councilmembers expressed opposition to short-term vacation rentals in the space, a vote passed to refer the request to the planning commission. Living spaces would require a change to the town center zoning. The planning commission will make a recommendation, and the council has the option of revising, objecting to or accepting it and will make the final decision.
The public works department is busy with ongoing projects and is planning ahead for upcoming work. Councilmember Kevin Leckenby, the liaison with the department, said SEC gas company is in the process of connecting the new lines on Hardy Road and Tinkerbell Lane. Brush pickup continues, and residents can see the zone progress on the city’s website at lookoutmtnga.com. People are reminded to keep brush piles manageable so a tractor is able to pick them up. The stonework across from city hall is now finished, but sidewalk repair is delayed.
The city’s repair projects include a section of Wood Nymph Trail behind hole No. 2 on the LMC golf course and the gazebo across from the city hall. The commissioner said that non-permitted items are being placed on the road for the public works employees to pick up, which is creating problems. The department is considering issuing a penalty fee to the offending party. A full list of non-permitted items is available from City Manager Kenny Lee, and he can be contacted at (706) 820-1586. The next dumpster day will be Saturday, June 4. A second “spring cleaning dumpster” may be made available.
Commissioner Taylor Watson, representing the fire and police department, said the recent fundraising event for the fire department at Café on the Corner was a great success. She thanked Ruth Oehmig for being so supportive. Funds raised from the event will help buy equipment for the fire department. She also said the city is still discussing options for how to handle stray and lost dogs.
After not being able to have the Fairyland Festival for two years, the fundraiser was an amazing success this year, said Councilmember Caroline Williams. The big crowd included students, both current and past, and folks from every area of Lookout Mountain. It was a great community effort, she said. The fifth grade field trip was also held for the first time in two years at Camp Lookout.
The Garden Club of America recently recognized and honored Jimmy Campbell, who has volunteered his time and talents to lead efforts to beautify the city of Lookout Mountain, Ga. He has been in charge of coordinating the planning, design and building of gardens and trails around the city, from concept through completion. He secured grants to pay for the various projects and worked with landscape architects, local garden clubs and nursery suppliers for each of the new parks. The Fairy Trail Garden on Whitt Road opened in September. Joe Wilson Park, which is now in the planning stage, will be expanded and built in front of the city hall along Lula Lake Road. Mr. Campbell has also planned a network of trails and paths that will serve as connectors throughout city, and he was responsible for putting together the partnership between the city and the Lookout Mountain Conservancy to restore gardens and build a park at the five-acre site where the Sims family previously operated a motel and gardens. The award he was given acknowledges the “exceptional contributions as a talented leader who is promoting the knowledge and love of gardening, as well as to restore, improve and protect the environment.”
The next meeting will be June 9 at 6 p.m.
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