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Midway sets hearings for proposed millage rate amid budget gap
midway sign
A sign welcomes motorists to Midway. - photo by File photo

MIDWAY — As Midway City Council members ponder the coming fiscal year 2027 budget, they’re looking at ways to plug a potential gap — including the city’s first property tax.

Council members received a draft budget at a meeting Monday that calls for $2.1 million in revenue for its general fund, and nearly $2.6 million in expenditures.

“The city is growing fast,” said Mayor Malcolm Williams. “But our budget isn’t growing fast.”

To address that gap, council members are holding three hearings on a possible millage rate. Council members are looking at a tentative millage rate of 7.1.

“We’ve been up and down the road on this,” Williams said. “We’ve gone different avenues, trying to figure out what we need to do to keep up with the growth of the city.”

The city’s millage rate hearings will be held October 19 at 7 p.m., October 26 at 5 p.m. and November 2 at 7 p.m. All three hearings will be held at Midway City Hall.

Williams commended the previous council for leaving the city in sound financial shape, and he praised the current council for their work on the proposed budget.

“There is no such thing as a perfect budget,” he said.

Based on a previous digest, one mill of property tax could bring in about $80,000, so a millage rate of 7.1 could lead to nearly $570,000 in property tax revenue.

One of the biggest expenses is the city’s new fully-staffed fire department, which will cost about $854,000 for the coming year. The city’s fiscal year runs January 1– December 31.

The city’s line item for events is increasing, but Williams said there is a need for the city to stage such festivities as Midway Day and the annual tree lighting, among others. He added the city is working on putting together a committee of volunteers for its events “We do have opportunities with new businesses coming to town,” Williams said. “With the community growing, we can make up that difference.”

From its water and sewer fun, the city expects to collect $1.85 million and spend $994,000. But it also has water projects looming, such as a new tank. City engineer Trent Long said the water lines should be installed and completed with testing and disinfecting in about three weeks, and those new lines are expected to give the city better water pressure.