(MURFREESBORO) The rough draft of the 2020 fiscal year budget for the City of Murfreesboro calls for a property tax increase, plus monthly fees for garbage pickup.

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland noted on WGNS' broadcasts several times of the importance of treating garbage pickup just like we do water and electricity. He proposes that those who utilize the service should underwrite the cost of the total operations. The mayor continued . . .

Starting this past January 1, 2019, the city started charging $5 per trashcan to all residents and commercial users. If the council approves the new budget, that rate would increase to $10 per month for residents and $30 for businesses. Prior to this year, garbage collection was considered to be a part of city services that are covered by property taxes.

The proposed budget also calls for a 38.88 per cent increase in property taxes. The proposed 2020 budget includes $3.9-million in supplemental expenditures.

Both City Manager Craig Tindall and Mayor McFarland advocate eliminating the habit of dipping into the general fund reserves to balance the city's budget.

McFarland noted on the WGNS' Action Line broadcast, "This has been the SOP for the past several years, and it's like using your savings account--a practice that soon will make your savings run dry."

The Murfreesboro City Council will meet in Special Session at 5:00 p.m., Thurs., May 23 in Council Chambers at City Hall to review the proposed FY 2019-20 Budget with executive directors and department heads.

City Council will conduct a Public Hearing, June 6, 2019, at 7 p.m. to consider 'First Reading' of the FY 2019-20 Budget ordinance, tax rate and appropriation ordinances. Second reading will be considered on either June 13 or June 20.

CLICK HERE to see a copy of the Proposed FY 2019-20 budget.