West Point approves city budget – LaGrange Daily News

By Charlotte Reames

The West Level Metropolis Council held a second public listening to on town finances on Nov. 28. Although there was no public remark throughout the assembly, one metropolis council member made a remark about her hopes for the upcoming finances.

Town of West Level’s 2024 proposed finances is greater than final 12 months due to an elevated tax income and utility income.

For the upcoming 12 months, Metropolis Supervisor Ed Moon introduced a proposed finances of $28,433,382.06, which is a rise of $6,973,707 from the present 12 months’s finances.

No residents commented on the proposed finances. Nevertheless, metropolis council member Deedee Williams made a remark in regards to the recreation finances.

Williams stated she hoped to see town council put extra funding towards opening a brand new neighborhood pool. The earlier pool was closed a number of years in the past. 

“We can have misplaced a technology of kids,” Williams stated. 

Lots of the metropolis council candidates within the current metropolis election spoke about bettering recreation. Williams ran for mayor however misplaced to incumbent Mayor Steve Tramell. She is not going to be returning to town council subsequent time period.

Williams stated West Level has a fair stronger want for a neighborhood pool than different cities due to West Level Lake and Chattahoochee River being close by. 

“We are able to’t be blinded by poor excuses,” Williams stated. 

The explanation for the elevated income for town straight associated to a rise in tax income from some industries in West Level whose PILOT (Cost In Lieu Of Tax) incentive applications have ended. A number of the car industries akin to Kia who entered tax abatements are actually paying the total tax to town. 

The PILOT program is an settlement for certified corporations to make tax funds at a decreased price over time.

One other improve comes from the utility income that West Level is accumulating from a cryptomining buyer. EZ Blockchain crypto mining firm got here to town in 2020. The corporate is now the biggest electrical utility buyer on town electrical system.

In keeping with Moon, the corporate makes use of extra electrical energy than the remainder of town itself. 

EZ Blockchain makes use of underutilized power “that may in any other case be sitting idly,” in keeping with an organization press launch. The corporate partnered with town on the “8 MW” enlargement venture to generate extra native jobs and income.

Moon stated the corporate will proceed to develop through the years. A part of the venture included including 4 extra EZ Blockchain cell knowledge facilities to the realm.

The electrical utilities division finances noticed a big improve of $4,402,468.

West Level already has plans for allocating the extra income all through its departments. A number of departments are hiring on new employees together with the police division, fireplace and EMS, 911 communications, public works, utilities and common authorities.

The police division’s finances will improve by roughly $413,000 whereas the fireplace and EMS finances will improve by round $341,000. The overall authorities finances additionally noticed a rise of just about $500,000.

Some funds will even be allotted for buying a brand new loader truck, ambulance and digger derrick truck for the utilities/electrical division. New police cruisers and common service autos will even be bought.