Helen City Commission Holds First Reading of Proposed 2017-’18 Budget

HELEN, Ga. – The Helen City Commission held  the first public hearing for the city’s proposed $3.5 million fiscal year 2017-’18 budget Tuesday. The second and final hearing is scheduled for July 18 at 3 p.m.

The new spending plan calls for $3,510,505 in expenditures. General government operations will command the largest part of the budget at $1,010,350, followed by the police department ($773,700), fire department ($712,026) and public works ($524,179).

The water and wastewater fund is expected to generate the most revenue at $1,058,500, followed by the hotel/motel tax ($975,000), sales tax ($760,000), Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax ($622,400) and property tax ($400,000).

Commissioners voted unanimously to renew the contract with the White County Convention and Visitors Bureau that calls for the CV&B to pay $3,000 monthly rental for the building it occupies plus utilities and the city to distribute a percentage of the hotel/motel tax revenue to the CV&B.

After a lengthy discussion with David Jones, owner of Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen and Chocolate Factory, commissioners unanimously denied a request to add a third sign to the business, saying it would violate the city’s sign ordinance.

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