by Hannah Caudell
After little pushback from city residents, Cornelia commissioners passed a two-mill increase to its millage rate.
For a few years, the millage rate has been 9.5 in Cornelia, remaining steady until this year, when the county gave the city a rollback rate that was higher than its actual millage rate. Since, the city has been trying to figure out ways to cut costs while keeping essential services for residents in the wake of inflation.
By the most recent estimates of Cornelia Finance Director Melanie Chandler, the city has cut about $1.5 million from the 2027 proposed budget already. She told commissioners that if they kept the millage rate at 9.5 again this year, the city would see a deficit of $788,769. That number is cut down to roughly $150,000 with an 11.5 millage rate, which can be recuperated through the city’s fund balance, or emergency savings account.
The only resident to speak on the millage rate during the final public hearing Tuesday night was Blaine Wasden, a meeting regular who actually told commissioners he was in favor of a millage increase.
A couple other residents spoke regarding the city’s 2027 proposed budget, which currently stands at about $28 million in total expenditures. Their concern regarded cost-of-living and merit-based raises for employees; commissioners and Mayor John Borrow explained that those raises helped keep the city competitive with other government employers.
In other business, the city has officially adopted a new zoning ordinance regarding accessory structures, and has approved a proposal from engineering firm Carter & Sloope for paving projects on Jones Street, Lee Street and the Jim Smith Park sidewalk totaling $87,100.
They also voted to post two items of comment over a 30-day period, one regarding the annexation of city property at 1190 Old Cleveland Road to expand the city’s wastewater treatment capacity, and another to amend the municipal code to establish a court technology fee.