During their regularly scheduled meeting Monday, the Bremen City Council approved the property tax millage rate for the Haralson County and Carroll County sides of Bremen.

The Haralson County rate will remain at 7.113 mills, while the Carroll County rate saw a very slight increase from last year’s 7.047 mills to 7.05 mills.

“However, this isn’t really a tax increase,” said Bremen City Manager Perry Hicks. “We lost some value in our digest, so this is just an adjustment so we will get the same amount in revenue.”

Both millage rates passed unanimously, and property tax bills will be due on Dec. 3.

Bremen Mayor Sharon Sewell said she was very proud of city employees’ efforts to reduce spending in recent years.

“I’m very proud of all our employees and their ability to maintain our budget,” Sewell said. “They are to be commended for their efforts.”

The council also certified the special election results from the election to fill the unexpired term of former Council member Bill Hightower, who vacated his seat after moving outside the city limits.

The results ratified by the Elections Office show Terry Crawford receiving 820 votes and John Corollo receiving 320. Terry Crawford was sworn in Monday by Judge Eddie Hulsey before the council’s meeting and, therefor, participated in the council’s actions.

In other business, the council approved the rezoning on two properties on Pacific Avenue from R-20, single family residential, to C-2, neighborhood and highway service commercial. The council unanimously approved the requests, which were made by Jack F. Witcher and Thomas M. Witcher.

The council also accepted a property donation from Haralson Interprises. The property, next to the veterans park, will most likely be used for parking.

“We are very grateful for this donation,” said Sewell. “We want to make a courteous statement of respect for our local veterans, and this property will definitely help us do that.”

During public participation, David Hunt of Waste Industries shared with the council that he and Hicks have been discussing and exploring the possibility of providing city residents with a recycling option.

“It would be a convenience site,” Hunt said. “But it would be co-mingled, so residents wouldn’t have to separate their recyclables.”

Hunt said he would continue talks with the processing center and the city and he hoped to have that option for residents in the near future.

The next Bremen City Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 17.