By Mayor Billy Keyserling

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Beaufort City Council passed the first of two readings on the FY 2012 Budget (July 2011 - June 2012) and there will be no tax increase and no increases in solid waste pick up or stormwater fees.<!--more-->

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Thanks in large part to the fact that the City had our eyes open two years ago and made changes necessary to survive the economic downturn before we felt the effects, we are in good financial shape.

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That said, as we study the budget between first and second readings and go through the budget line by line with department heads, we will be looking for ways to plan for the following year (FY 2013) when we anticipate additional drops in revenue due to falling property values and pending actions by the SC House and Senate that may further tie the hands of local government by removing point of sale provisions in state law.

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Between now and the final reading, we will hold two informational workshops and a Public Hearing.  If you want to better understand how the City Budget works or if you have concerns or cost saving ideas, please join us at these open to the public meetings. Watch for notices in the news or send me a note for the schedule.

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