By Cain Madden

VIDALIA — Vidalia aldermen voted Tuesday to keep the town’s millage rate at 3.39, which collects approximately $140,000 for the town.

Mayor Buz Craft said Vidalia has always had one of the lowest millage rates in the state, as the town’s operating budget mostly comes from other revenue areas including utilities,

Craft said the town leadership going forward has to manage the town’s finances so utility rates can be lowered.

“We have got to look at our utility rates and get those down to a more reasonable level,” Craft said. “We need to cover our costs, but we need to look to save money where we can.”

Craft said even as costs are cut, the town has to work to continue to better the level of services provided to residents.

“We have to try to do a better job as each year goes by to manage the town’s finances,” Craft said. “We want to continue to make this a great place to live.”

The millage rate is the amount taxed per $1,000 assessed value of a resident’s property.