By Lisa Carolin
The Chelsea City Council approved the 2019-2020 City of Chelsea budget at its June 3 meeting. Council also approved a resolution to set the 2019-2020 City Millage Rate. The total mills to be collected is 13.1555 as follows: General Fund – 11.2000; Streets – 0.2200; Solid Waste – 0.7355.
Also adopted was the resolution that allows the Chelsea Downtown Development Authority to collect property taxes to support its operations. The DDA millage rate is 1.628 mills.
Additionally, Council approved a tax resolution to collect a 1-percent administration fee.
Also at its June 3 meeting, City Council adopted the utility rates and fees for: 1.) electric base monthly rate charge increase of $1.00 per meter/month for all customer classes; 2.) 2% increase for residential kWh usage 3.) 4% increase for commercial and industrial kWh usage.
Council also approved a power purchase agreement with the Michigan Public Power Agency. The City of Chelsea has a need to buy a small block of energy for October and November 2019. The October 2019 total is $12,276, and the November 2019 total is $20,736 for a combined total of $33,012.
City Council took no action on a proposed budget amendment request from the Downtown Development Authority to its 2018-2019 fiscal year budget to use $35,000 of remaining Palmer Commons Bond funds to pay a portion of the last installment purchase payment.
Council did approve the proclamation to recognize Anthony Pearse’s achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout. The Troop 476 member completed the requirements of 21 merit badges and successfully completed a community service project that consisted of planning, securing funding, organizing, and managing to improve the Chelsea High School Athletic Department’s team celebration area. This included clean up, adding a water collection system, installing shelving, building wood benches and a wood shelter.
