(La Vergne, Tenn.) The La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen has approved a new budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year which includes not only a lowered property tax rate but road repairs, equipment purchases, personnel changes, and city improvements. The budget officially goes into effect on July 1, 2022.
The Rutherford County Property Assessor’s office recently conducted a county-wide property reassessment and, due to a rise in property values, has lowered the certified property tax rate for La Vergne to $0.5406 per $100 of assessed value. While that rate is lower, it would bring in the same amount of property taxes city-wide. The La Vergne Board voted to set the City’s tax rate below that certified rate at $0.5363 per $100 of assessed value, effectively implementing a tax cut.
The City of La Vergne, through the economic development department, plans to conduct a Special Census in the 2022-23 fiscal year. The State of Tennessee issues funding to local municipalities based on the certified population. A more accurate population representation can result in hundreds of thousands of additional dollars being distributed to La Vergne.
The police department will be receiving 10 replacement vehicles, a new K9 officer to replace K9 Mike who will be retiring soon, additions to the Blue Sentinal license plate reader program, and 15 new fingerprint readers. There is also more than $1 million for the architectural and engineering work needed for a police headquarters expansion project.
Our fire department is receiving two new trucks for EMS as well as furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the new fire station. The department will also be able to hire nine (9) new firefighters.
The library is getting a much-needed technology upgrade with more than 30 new computers for patrons and staff.
Parks and recreation will receive more than $150,000 worth of new vehicles, equipment, and storage containers. They are also receiving a new full-time maintenance employee and a full-time senior center employee (to upgrade a currently vacant part-time position).
The public relations department will be getting new CableCast equipment which will allow staff to better air programming over cable channels and even create new La Vergne apps for streaming service users.
The street department will receive more than $250,000 in new equipment and trucks this year. The board also plans to purchase a new bucket truck in the 2023-24 fiscal year. This year the department will also be given a new full-time employee, eliminating two part-time, vacant seasonal positions.
As for the water department, they are receiving a new pick-up truck, dump truck, and mini excavator. There has also been $150,000 set aside for a fire hydrant painting project that is sorely needed throughout the city.
The sewer department is receiving new vehicles, a dump truck, and a forklift.
The water treatment plant, operated by Inframark, will receive $365,000 in various plant equipment, upgrades, and replacement parts for maintenance.
There are also several street improvement projects in the works for this fiscal year including Fergus Road, the completion of a new signal and realignment of Charter Place at Centerpointe, Ingram at Mason Road improvement final designs, South Waldron Road widening design and engineering, Blair Road at Carothers improvement design, South Waldron Road at Blair Road design, and engineering for the widening of Old Nashville Highway. All road project funding this fiscal year totals more than $2.8 million.
There are several parks and recreation projects in the works including a new Brookside Park on the west side of La Vergne, new lights on the tennis courts at Veterans Memorial Park, resurfacing of the walking trail at Veterans Memorial Park, and funds for the engineering of phase II of the Hurricane Creek Greenway project.
The budget in its entirety can be viewed on the City’s website under “Public Information Portal” or by clicking here.
Other WGNS NEWS Headlines:
1.) Murfreesboro approves grant funding to further help homeless students
2.) Murfreesboro gives GREENLIGHT to Middle TN Electric Land Swap
3.) UPDATE: Former MTSU Employee accused of stalking woman on campus and possibly impersonating a police officer
4.) Woman arrested after newborn left in hot vehicle, baby saved by Murfreesboro Firefighters
5.) MTSU examines the airline pilot shortage
