Century Approves Tax Increase, Higher Budget, Employee Raises

October 6, 2021

The Century town council has given final approval to a property tax increase, higher budget and employee raises for the fiscal year that began October 1.

The council approved property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 7.61% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8553 mills. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. Anything greater than the rolled-back rate is a tax increase.

The town approved a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, up from $4.14 million during FY 2020-2021. The increase is mostly due to income from grants.

The tax increase and budget passed on a 4-0 vote with council member Dynette Lewis absent.

The budget includes a 5% cost of living increase for all employees, with an option for an additional 2% performance raise available with the approval of the council and mayor.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “Century Approves Tax Increase, Higher Budget, Employee Raises”

  1. The Grand Nobody on October 7th, 2021 8:05 am

    I’m not a resident of Escambia county, but I’m just across the river in Santa Rosa county. Seeing the procession of mismanagement that has eroded the confidence in many area locals, I hope things begin making fiscal and ethical sense soon.

  2. judy on October 7th, 2021 7:37 am

    Century town council has mismanaged money, wasted the dollars they do managed to take in, and “loaned” money without having it paid back. They allow crooks to run the place, and they do NOT do their jobs properly. HOWEVER, as soon as they lay hands on money, they immediately get a 5% raise, and another 2% shortly. Why are they not held to a standard of decency and accountability? Must all be a part of the “good ole boy” system…either that or the people of Century just do not care! If the citizen’s don’t care, they deserve to live in a slum of a town, and NO right to complain! Glad I have left that place behind!

  3. ? on October 7th, 2021 6:48 am

    Who, specifically, will be in charge of managing the grant funds?

  4. Alan on October 7th, 2021 3:15 am

    @Citizen, I assume you or family members are on the payroll because a 7.61% increase in property taxes is not a “very small” increase. Considering the ongoing, never ending mismanagement and bickering, people aren’t making fun of Century, they are just pointing out the obvious.

  5. Well on October 6th, 2021 8:47 pm

    Good for the Employees !!
    They normally take a beating for things they have no control over or say so in.

  6. Citizen on October 6th, 2021 1:45 pm

    I think the clerk does a very poor job with keeping either the website or the facebook page updated. As another commenter said, they could video meetings or at least post the agenda and minutes.

    With the manager, Prather leaving, I certainly hope the available employees implement the wastewater improvements and the well water improvements.
    If they are stepping up to the plate and doing that to the proper statutes and regulations, a raise is fine.
    Now the ball is definitely in the Mayor’s court to run the employees and get the improvements done.
    A very small property increase is not much and the rates have been adjusted.

    Right now ECUA would cost more for the residents and the services may be poor.
    The gas department has been turned around and long term employees there may know what to do to maintain it.

    I know people like to get on here and have a good time making fun of Century, in a way it keeps us from being overcrowded so have at it.

    We know the good side of having an incorporation.

    Great to see the extra revenue for the grants now it is up to the ones who stepped up to do the job and sit on the council –

    You wanted the power, lets see what you do with it.

  7. Bob on October 6th, 2021 8:31 am

    Have they approved anymore personal loans? What about the previous personal loans? Have they been paid off? Where is the documents for these loans?

  8. Hmm on October 6th, 2021 6:49 am

    I had to contain my laughter this morning when I saw the headline. Earlier in the week, headline that American Relief funds were available to the town and now mid week a 5% raise with possible 2% additional performance raise. These funds received may not be related to this article but the timing is priceless.

    I can’t wait to see whoelse finds this funny.

  9. sam on October 6th, 2021 6:06 am

    i guess i’m supposed to feel all warm and fuzzy. not gonna happen.

  10. LOL on October 6th, 2021 4:12 am

    That. Is. Hilarious.

    Get it together, Century. One day.