BLUE RIDGE, GA – The millage rate for the City of Blue Ridge will be 5.378 mills for the upcoming tax year. The city council set the millage rate during their Oct. 8 regular meeting at city hall.

With no public comments forthcoming during the third and final millage rate hearing, the council passed the FY2018 Millage Rate Ordinance by unanimous vote.

There was no public comment during the first two public hearings as well.

The city is set to receive an increase in tax revenue due to developed land, according to Mayor Donna Whitener.

Land that was undeveloped during the past year has now been developed, leading to an increase in the property taxes and an increase in the city’s tax revenue.

The option of rolling back the millage rate to offset the additional revenue was never discussed during the millage rate public hearings.

The council also approved the FY2020 Budget Resolution, setting a budget for the city that includes that additional tax revenue of nearly $200,000.

Also at the meeting, Cesar Martinez with the Downtown Development Authority and Blue Ridge Business Association told the council the annual Halloween Safe Zone in downtown Blue Ridge will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 31.

The time and date will be rain or shine. As in years past, the safe zone will be on East Main Street, from the intersection with Depot Street down to Mountain Street.

Additionally at the council’s most recent meeting, the council approved a budget of up to $15,000 to purchase lights for the annual Light Up Blue Ridge event. The event takes place in downtown Blue Ridge and culminates in the lighting of the Blue Ridge Christmas tree.

An invoice from Mountain Communications, Inc. was also approved in the amount of $18,860 for upgrades to the police department’s communications systems.