MURFREESBORO – Despite the absence of one councilmember, Murfreesboro’s Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the proposed budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year during their regular meeting on Wednesday, June 28.

A public hearing was held before the Council voted, but no residents elected to speak for or against the proposed budget.

The town of Murfreesboro will operate on a total of $3,723,883.90 for the fiscal year taking effect on July 1. This number is broken down into three separate funds: General Fund ($1,909,151), Water and Sewer Fund ($1,428,000), and the New Well fund ($386,732.90) which is actually a grant the town will receive.

The property tax rate of 66 cents (per $100 of valuation) remains the same as it has been in previous years.

Departments in the General Fund receiving the most money include Police ($717,925.21), Sanitation ($267,000), and Administration ($233,141.56).

The Water and Sewer Fund expenditures are broken down to Water ($592,733.27), Sewer ($313,841.07), and Wastewater Treatment ($521,425.66).

A large amount of revenues for the General Fund are expected to come from taxes including property tax ($765,000), local option sales tax ($347,000), franchise tax ($145,866), and motor vehicle tax ($79,000). Additional revenue from refuse collection fees are expected to total $280,000.

The vast majority of revenues for the Water & Sewer Fund will come from user fees, which are expected to total about $1.3 million.

Murfreesboro town employees were also able to receive a three percent raise this year as part of the new budget.