The Thomson City Council chose last week to keep the property tax millage rate stable in 2012 and to absorb the loss of about $14,400.

The council voted Thursday to advertise the same rate of 5.399. That rate will gather $723,233 in taxes this year.

Because of some reductions in property valuations, that rate will take in about $708,811 in 2012.

Details will be sorted at 5 p.m. today, when the council meets for a work session.

That meeting, to be held on the second floor of the government center, is estimated to take about two hours.

According to the tentative budget schedule, a public hearing will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1. The budget and tax digest could be approved at a regular city council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8.

In other business:

- An ordinance banning smoking on the government center property and the historic courthouse property was passed on second reading, on a 5-0 vote.

Because the measure previously was adopted by the McDuffie County Commission, the measure becomes law immediately, according to Thomson City Clerk Dianne Landers.

Violations carry a fine of up to $250 for each offense.

- City Administrator Don Powers advised the council that the pit burner at the recycling center has been repaired, and "we've got a ton of waste to burn" as soon as wind and other safety conditions are right.

- Powers said the sale of water to Harlem is back on track after a chlorination feature was added to a pump station.

- Powers reported the city has received more requests for speed bumps. He said a proposed policy will be on the Sept. 8 council agenda.

He said the estimated cost is $1,500 for each speed bump and includes asphalt, striping and signs.

- Powers said the regular quarterly meeting of the water-sewer commission was postponed from July 19 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30.

- Powers said the supervisor training course has begun, with further sessions set for Aug. 25 and 26 and Sept. 19.

"The feedback I am getting from the supervisors is very favorable, so it appears that the training module we chose is a good one," Powers wrote in his report to the council.

- The council granted Georgia Power Co. an easement to provide electricity to the fire training building off Augusta Highway. The utility pays $10 for the right to install and maintain service on a tract formally known as 612 Forest Clary Drive Extension.

- The council accepted a bid recommendation for improvements in the Pitts Street area.

Bids were opened Aug. 10. The winning bidder is Beam Site Preparation, with a bid of $399,660.80. The money comes from a Community Development Block Grant awarded in 2010. Work includes paving, sewer and water lines, curbs and gutters.

- The council was advised of two approaching meetings: A Transportation Roundtable was planned for 6 p.m. Monday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. A Hometown Connection meeting with state legislators will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5, in Thomson, with officials from McDuffie and Warren counties and Harlem and Washington attending.