For more than a year, Dalton Mayor David Pennington has said the city “probably has the second highest city taxes in the state of Georgia next to Atlanta.”

“I will no longer be saying that,” Pennington said Monday after the City Council voted 4-0 to cut the city’s general government property tax rate to 3.002 mills from 3.66.

Council members said that will not only roll back the tax rate to offset any gains from property reassessments but also cut the portion other than recreation 20 percent. The city currently dedicates 1 mill of property taxes to the recreation department. Voters will decide in November whether to keep that dedicated recreation tax.

Pennington said the tax cut will cost the city government about $1.431 million. The city’s previous tax rate would bring in about $5.17 million.

Pennington said the city budget currently has a surplus of about $1.151 million. In addition, officials expect about $156,000 in savings from moving to weekly garbage pickup.

Council members said they are confident the city can make the cut without unduly affecting services.

“We are tightening our belts and trimming fat wherever we can. It may not be completely painless, but I think we can get through it,” said council member Denise Wood.

Council member George Sadosuk agreed.

“I’m very comfortable with what we have done,” he said. “It can be done.”

Council member Charlie Bethel said the city is looking for ways to provide residents with the best value for their money.

“We are striving to keep a consistent level of service with what their expectations are, with what the value they perceive they are getting for the dollars that are coming out of their pockets,” he said.

Pennington also commended the Downtown Dalton Development Authority for last week cutting its tax rate 25 percent to 2.25 mills from 3 mills.

Council members also voted 4-0 to:

• Accept property just east of Garcia’s restaurant on Walnut Avenue from Barrett Family Partnership. City officials said they plan a greenspace park on the site.

• Approve an agreement with Crystal Air/TNT Leasing of Tennessee to run a full fixed-base operation at the city airport. Crystal will pay the city $1,200 a year plus 3 cents for each gallon of fuel bought at the airport.