Posted: 8/27/03

Columbus OKís tax levy for 2004

Joe Drennan
Staff Writer

Columbus Township held their annual town meeting Tue, Aug. 19, to vote on the proposed budget and tax levy for 2004.

The proposed budget had a price tag of $1,249,069. As the new levy is 6.75 percent higher than last year, Town Board Chairman Melvin Mettler pointed out that a new state law says that cities may not raise levies, but it does not apply to townships.

ìEverything is fair game,î Mettler said as the meeting got under way, as he and Town Manager Elizabeth Mursko explained the budget to the townspeople on hand.

One of the costs that has gone up is the town attorney fees from $32,000 a year to $37,000.

It was explained that the fee is going up because with paying more, the town can get more services and end up possibly saving money in the long run.

It was also explained that if a resident asked a legal question at a meeting, that person ended up getting a bill from the town in the mail to cover the cost of the lawyer.

With the new fee, residents will no longer be billed for asking questions at meetings.

Office supply costs are going up too because the township is working on setting up a website.

ìThe budget is our best shot at getting the money we need,î Mettler said. ìThe numbers wonít come out exactly, but itís a good estimate.î

Several questions were asked by residents about different sections of the levy, but they were asked in an attempt to get a better understanding for it, not to question why the money was needed.

At the end of the meeting, a unanimous vote in favor of the $1,249,069 levy was approved by the public.

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