The Webster Progress-Times

The Eupora Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted a proposed budget for 2007-08 as presented Tuesday night.

This follows budget work meetings last month, beginning with the Aug. 6 regular meeting. On that date, the city clerk, mayor and aldermen reviewed the budget projections, year-to-date figures and proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The tax millage rate was also discussed then.

During a recessed meeting on Aug. 15, the board continued to discuss the budget and tax millage. The general city budgets were reviewed and some changes made in the proposed budget, minutes show.

Aldermen also worked on the budget during a recessed meeting on Aug. 20. Ways to increase park revenue and decrease expenses in all departments were among the discussions. Whether or not to increase the tax millage to set aside for grant matching was also discussed.

Budget work continued on Aug. 22. The minutes of that meeting state that Mayor Tommy Lott asked to go on record as opposing any tax increase because the city raised the maximum allowed the previous year. He also reported that the Mississippi Department of Transportation had estimated that it will cost up to $10,000 a year to light the Hwy. 9/82 intersection. MDOT plans to take bids soon on the project.

Meeting again on Aug. 27, the board adopted a tax resolution fixing the tax levy. The resolution states that the tax levy for the city will remain the same as this fiscal year's, which is 23.5 mills on each dollar valuation. Work toward balancing the expenses to the revenues continued, records reflect.

A public hearing on the budget as adopted this week is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at City Hall. The board plans to adopt the budget in its final state during a meeting that will immediately follow the hearing.