City might raise tax millage, garbage-pickup fees
By Bobby Bryant, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Going into its June 4 meeting, Darlington City Council was set to consider a first vote on the city’s $6.8 million budget for next fiscal year, as well as a possible increase in the city’s tax millage rate and a possible hike in garbage-collection fees.
The proposals would add 3.2 mills to the city’s current millage of 131.4125, said City Manager Howard Garland. That would raise about $57,000 to be used for road paving in the city, he said.
Council also was to consider a $1-per-month increase in the city’s garbage-pickup fee. If approved, that would raise the sanitation fee from $21.50 a month to $22.50.
Garland said the city had to buy a new trash truck and other equipment, making an increase necessary.
By comparison, Garland noted in a survey of other Pee Dee towns given to council members at a budget work session last week, Mullins charges residents $26.42 a month for garbage pickup; Hartsville, $21.06; Marion, $20.75; Camden, $19.25; Lamar, $18; Cheraw, $16; and Lake City, $13.
The budget plan would continue a decision the city reached last year to raise its water and sewer rates by 3 percent for customers inside the city limits and by 5 percent for customers outside the city through 2022.