Council decides: No tax for city
By KATHLEEN MCKEVITT

Mayor Jim Conley

It was the consensus of the Blairsville City Council, at the December 5 meeting, to not levy a tax on city property owners for 2007.

According to Mayor Jim Conley, “It is the first time in my memory that the city has not levied a tax. Realizing that people in the city pay two taxes: to the county and to the city, and judging that our income for 2007 would be adequate to pay for all planned improvements and honor our budget, we unanimously voted to wave a new tax.”

Conley continued, “We will have enough to maintain and honor our planned sewer system upgrades due to grants and loans, plus our reserves and incoming revenues will keep us in good shape overall. We are happy that the city coffers are in a place where we can do this.”

Conley chalks up the city's financial status to good management, and good decisions along the way, but quipped, “There is no fat [in the budget] either!”