No property tax hike for Wartrace

David Evans, standing, explains to Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher, seated right, and other members of the board that his Leadership Bedford class is seeking a project. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Wartrace Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a resolution Monday night approving the FY 2009 budget, and it meant good news for property owners.

"The property tax remains the same," said Mayor Don Gallagher.

There were some changes in the budget, including estimated revenue from water in the second half of the fiscal year, an increase due to Wartrace's agreement to purchase water from Tullahoma, which should be in effect by that time.

"The municipal rates stay the same for Normandy and Wartrace," Gallagher said. "We set commercial rates for Dickel and $4.50 per 1,000 gallons."

Previously, he said, Bell Buckle had been getting one-third of its water from Wartrace at $1.55 per 1,000, and two-thirds of its water from Bedford Utility District at $4.20 per 1,000.

"Obviously, because it's going to cost us $1.80, that will have to change," the mayor said. The new rate for Bell Buckle will be $2.70 per 1,000, but since they will be able to provide more water and Bell Buckle will have to draw less from Bedford, the rates should average out about the same, Gallagher said.

The budget also reflected changes in the rural rates in the second half of the year, going from $17 for the first 2,000 to $20.50.

The approved budget also reflected a 3 percent across the board pay raise for city employees.

More than $1 million in projects were budgeted, but of that amount, the town should only have to pay about $200,000, depending on state and federal grants.

The projects include sidewalks and downtown renovation, with a TDOT grant; the connection with the Tullahoma Utilities Board and work on the Normandy bridge, with Rural Development funds; a waterline extension on Highway 269 with a CDBG grant; waterline work on Knob Creek, Haley and Lee Roads (all waiting for CDBG grant approval); improvements to the park, including adding trees and ground cover, and improving handicap access; linking up already installed security cameras that face the railroad; restorations and renovations in the old jail, the well house and the town hall; adding on to the fire hall; and establishing Reverse 911 and emergency plans.

The Warrtace Musicfest also received several grants and provides its own $30,000 budget, being self-supporting.

"Proceeds go back into the festival and as a match to the downtown improvement grant," the budget stated in a footnote.

Leadership project?

The Parks and Rec department has received a $10,000 grant that the town matched for improving the park, said Gallagher. The department also received a $1,600 Department of Forestry grant to plant trees, which the town also matched.

Leadership Bedford's class of 2009 might be helping the town put those funds to good use. David Evans, the president of the new class, attended the meeting and asked the board if there was anything it needed help with.

"We're looking at several possible projects for our group this year," said Evans, who added that other possibilities were working with Habitat for Humanity, the women's shelter, or the Celebration. "We're meeting Tuesday to go over them and on Wednesday we'll meet with the board of directors. The sooner we pick a project, the better job we can do."

Gallagher suggested the Leadership class assist in a special project at the park, some unique playground equipment.

"Today I talked to a fellow and looked at some musical playground equipment," the mayor said. "Things like xylophones -- but they go in the playground. They're very sturdy."

"It sounds beautiful and it teaches them to play music," said City Recorder Laura Gentry, who was present when the man demonstrated the xylophone. "It would be very nice."

Much like Celebration Station and similar playgrounds, the equipment would largely be installed by volunteers -- and that's where Leadership Bedford would come in.

"It would be an ideal project," said Gallagher. "You could work with the park board in the design."

Someone from the company would be on site to supervise, but largely, the design, layout and installation would be up to the town. Gallagher said the pieces ranged in price from a couple of hundred dollars to about $3,000.

The board discussed the possibility of having a special fundraiser just for the project and how Leadership should be involved. Evans said he would like to meet with the Parks and Rec board to work out the details once it knew for sure if this was the community service project the group chose.

Alderman Jean Gallagher suggested that if the musical playground fell through, Leadership could consider building a footbridge over part of the walking path.

"We thought we had an Eagle Scout going to do it, but we haven't heard from him," she said.

In other business, the board approved a bid from Williamson Construction of Murfreesboro for the water system improvements slated down Cortner Road. The bid was $344,542.50, and adjusted to $248,685, "subject to Department of Economic and Community Development approval and availability of funds," the resolution stated.