HEATH ADOPTS FY 2023-2024 CITY BUDGET

SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR TAX RATE IS LOWERED

The City Council adopted the FY 2023-2024 City of Heath Annual Budget at the Regular City Council meeting on September 26 following months of work held in open meetings and a Public Hearing on September 25.

The budget becomes effective October 1 and is based on a tax rate of $0.277493, which is 0.013682 cents lower than last year’s tax rate of $0.291175 or 4.70%. This is the sixth consecutive year the City’s tax rate has been lowered for a total decrease of 13.9818 cents or 33.51%

BONDS

The budget incorporates $30.5 million in bonds to fund the construction of a new Department of Public Safety station and a Public Works facility, and the renovation of Towne Center Park. Due to a funding partnership between the Heath Municipal Benefits Corporation (HMBC) and the City, these projects will be funded without an increase to the tax rate.

The bonds issued will not affect the City’s ability to fund future water infrastructure projects to expand the City’s water storage and delivery capacity. A water study is currently underway, with the first report by the consulting firm expected at the December 12 City Council meeting.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Additional services in the new budget include increased funding for pay-as-you-go programs; street repairs and improvements; drainage repairs and improvements; water and sewer infrastructure improvements; and the addition of two seasonal park maintenance workers, a part-time custodian, a meter services supervisor, a water production and lift station supervisor and two part-time seasonal administrative assistants.