Thomson taxes increase
Residents in the city of Thomson will see a slight increase in their tax bills next year.
City council members last week approved a half-mil tax increase -- the first in more than 25 years. The tax increase amounts to about $20 on a $100,000 home.
"Nobody likes to raise taxes," Mayor Bob Knox said, "but I think this is the right time to do it."
City officials approved a $2.8 million budget package, down $10,000 from the previous year. But projected tax collections are also down, leading the city to look at raising taxes.
"I think we've got (this budget) squeezed about as tight as we can squeeze it," said City Councilman Kenneth Usry.
City OKs water work
The City of Thomson gave its stamp of approval to a plan to expand the Big Creek water plant and bring the local water system into compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.
The $2.5 million project will be added to the treatment facility after conventional treatment. The system, which looks like a large pool filter and works like a more advanced version of water filters people have on their home faucets, would eliminate organic material prior to chlorine treatments.
The granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system will cost nearly $2.5 million for initial set up. The system will also cost over $369,000 per year to keep it up and running.
