BYRON -- There will be no tax increase in Byron for the third straight year.
Councilman Mike Chumbley, head of the council’s budget committee, introduced a resolution at council’s monthly meeting Monday to keep the city’s millage rate at 9 mills for 2012, the same as it has been for the past two years.
“It’s meant tightening our belts, that’s for sure,” Chumbley said. “Our department heads and city employees have done a great job to help rein in spending and keep costs as low as possible to prevent a tax increase and still provide the services we do.”
The council also passed an ordinance requiring businesses that sell alcoholic beverages packaged to-go to install primary and back-up security cameras and make images available to police in the event of a crime.
Chumbley said businesses are being given 30 days notice prior to the law going into effect, so they may make arrangements to install camera systems.
The ordinance authorizes inspection of the cameras by law enforcement and imposes a minimum $250 fine and potential 30-day liquor license suspension for those who do not comply. A second offense calls for a minimum $350 fine and mandatory license suspension for 60 days.
Officials also voted to re-enter a long-standing agreement with Centerville for mutual aid in the event of fire or police emergencies.
Contact Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
