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City budget passes on second reading
budget W SM
The Smithville city council voted Monday night to adopt the new 2013-14 city budget on second and final reading.The aldermen voted 4-1 to approve the $7.8 million plan after a public hearing in which no local citizens offered any comment.Alderman Shawn Jacobs cast the lone vote against the budget because there was no provision to fund a paid firefighter position.The budget includes a 1.5 percent pay raise for all city employees, including salaried personnel.Some city employees will also get step increases, depending upon where they fall in the wage scale for their department.The property tax rate in the city will remain at .6490 cents per $100 of assessed value.Water or sewer rates will remain the same as well.Water rates are $5 for the first 1,000 gallons of water usage plus $5 for each additional 1,000 gallons of usage.Rates outside the city are $7.50 for the first 1,000 gallons of water usage plus $7.50 for each additional 1,000 gallons of usage.The sewer rate will remain at $5 for the first 1,000 gallons of usage, plus $5 per 1,000 gallons thereafter.Sewer customers will continue to pay the $3.62 cent per month flat rate usage fee.The budget takes effect July 1.