Clinton holds its tax rate flat in FY2027 budget; officials describe pay raises as largest in city history
CLINTON - The Clinton Board of Aldermen adopted a fiscal year 2027 tax levy that keeps the city's millage rate unchanged at 41.49 mills, City Clerk Jimmy Baldree told the board, while officials said the budget carries what Mayor Will Purdie called one of the largest across-the-board pay increases in the city's history, concentrated in the fire service and public works.
The Clinton Board of Aldermen held a public hearing this week on the city's fiscal year 2027 budget and tax levy, and City Clerk Jimmy Baldree told the board the city would not raise its property tax rate.
“We will maintain the same 41.49 mills that we have in the past,” Baldree told the board. The board subsequently adopted a resolution fixing the ad valorem tax levy on real and personal property at that rate.
City officials told the board the budget also includes what they described as the largest across-the-board pay increase in the city's history, concentrated in the fire service and the public works department.
“I think it represents probably one of the largest single pay rebasings that I'm aware of that the city's ever done,” Mayor Will Purdie told the board.
Officials said the increases were intended to bring city pay into line with the market and to aid retention. No total cost for the pay increases was stated at the meeting.