ALTO — After three required public hearings on a proposed property-tax increase, the Alto Town Council still has not adopted a 2025 millage rate or reviewed a draft budget, even as the state deadline to submit both looms less than two weeks away.
Mayor Gail Armour opened Tuesday’s final public hearing by reminding residents that the council is weighing two possible millage rates — restoring the rate to 6.2 mills, its 2016 level, or adopting a smaller 5.28-mill increase. Armour then turned the discussion over to Finance Officer Lisa Turner, who outlined the town’s revenue challenges and a widening deficit.
Turner said Alto’s millage rate has declined steadily over the past decade — from 6.20 mills between 2013 and 2018, to 5.58 mills through 2021, and 4.37 mills since 2023.
“We had tried to help everyone during COVID and as appraisals increased so greatly in the last couple of years,” Turner said. “But in doing so, the cost of things has gone up, and we now have a deficit we need to be working on.”
Budget Deficit
Turner estimated the town’s general-fund deficit at about $89,000 as of Aug. 31 but said that number will shrink once capital expenses for playground improvements and street paving are accounted for. After those adjustments, she expects a remaining shortfall of roughly $15,000 to $18,000 by year’s end.
She added that declining local-option sales tax revenues, reduced probation income, and the expiration of federal ARPA funds have tightened the town’s operating margins. “Our funds that sustain the police department are down,” Turner said. “Some of our revenue sources, like probation fees and court fines, have also dropped significantly.”
2026 Budget Not Finalized
Councilwoman P.J. Huggins, who sat in the audience as a constituent, pressed Turner for more clarity on the town’s finances.
“Okay, so I guess my question is, when are we going to have a budget that we can look at — one that’s going to help us show the deficit we have for 2024 and what things look like for 2025 — so we can see a spreadsheet or flow chart of how the numbers are and how this is going to help?” Huggins asked.
Turner replied that she had intended to bring a draft budget to Tuesday’s meeting but had
been unable to complete it.
“I had intended to have it tonight,” Turner said. “I had an HR issue this morning that I had to deal with, and I’ve been working all day on the tax issue. I’m working on it and expect to have it ready before the end of the week.”
That explanation prompted several members to question whether the council should proceed with a millage rate vote without seeing the full financial picture.
Councilman Allen Fox said while he understood the delay, he was not comfortable voting on a tax rate without a clear understanding of the town’s current and projected spending.
“Where I was very comfortable with being able to see and understand things happen,” Fox said. “I’m not saying it’s an act — things happen — but that was kind of the circumstance this week. For me, it’s contingent on really seeing where we’re going before making a vote.”
Tabling of a Millage Rate Vote
Following discussion, Councilman James Turner motioned to table the millage rate vote until the council could review the draft budget. The motion was seconded and passed without objection.
Turner said she intends to have the budget ready by the end of the week. The council scheduled a special called meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, to vote on the millage rate based on the budget draft she provides.
The town’s millage rate must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Revenue by Nov. 1.
Tuesday’s public hearing concluded without any residents speaking, aside from Huggins. According to town officials, one resident addressed the council during Monday’s noon hearing and five residents spoke during the 6 p.m. session that evening.
Master Meter Project
In other action, the council approved the town’s Master Meter Project without objection, moving forward with upgrades to Alto’s aging water infrastructure. The project had been tabled at the Oct. 14 meeting while staff gathered more information about engineering costs and implementation timelines. Armour and council members said the project will modernize water-meter readings and improve efficiency once completed.
