Paul Hendricks

Signal Mountain’s budget for 2009 is nearly half that of a year ago for one reason: The new high school is paid for.

About $5 million of the $11.1 million 2008 budget was dedicated to paying for construction of a middle/high school complex set to open this fall.

The Town Council approved on first reading Monday night a $5.7 million budget for the coming year prepared by Town Manager Honna Rogers.

“We are pleased to announce that for the second year in a row the rate of taxation remains unchanged at $1.775 per $100 valuation,” Mayor Paul Headricks said.

Property and sales tax revenues have been better than projected, officials said.

The possibility of allowing liquor stores within the town was raised by Mr. Hendricks. Noting there are liquor stores nearby in Walden and Chattanooga, the mayor said it might be appropriate that residents be offered a referendum on the November ballot to allow retail sale of wine and spirits.

“Just because we have (a referendum) does not mean (a liquor store) will appear overnight, but it could be a great generator of revenue,” he said.

The council will decide on a liquor sales referendum at its June meeting.

The five-member council also approved on first reading an ordinance that gives the design review commission authority to establish aesthetic and architectural guidelines for commercial development and a standard policy for memorializing individuals by donations to the town.

The town’s design review commission adopted standards in 1995 that were never incorporated into the town’s code, according to Town Attorney Phil Noblett.

“Adoption as an ordinance allows enforcement of standards,” Mr. Noblett said. “Otherwise, the commission has no way to prevent permitting.”

Action taken Monday applies to commercial properties but will eventually be incorporated into the town’s overall planning, officials said.

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