Conyers City Council held the second public hearing for the proposed $13.18 million general fund budget for FY2012 on Wednesday but requested that staff take another look at the budget and revenue projections, in case of falling property values in 2012 and 2013.

"They're concerned with the economy and they want us to take another look at it and see if there's anything we can cut and put some of that money in reserves," said Finance Director Isabel Rogers. The budget, which Rogers said was based on a conservative estimate of a 5 percent decline in tax digest, is balanced for this year. The city's value is estimated to decline by 3 percent, which was better than the projected decline for the county, which has a higher proportion of residential properties than commercial.

Rogers added the city will not raise its millage rate this year.

Mayor Randy Mills said the finance committee began speculating what would happen if things became worse in 2012-2013. Mills requested that Rogers run some models with even worse case scenario numbers against current spending and report back to the council.

"The main thing is to not get to where other governments are in the last several years," said Mills. "We'll see if we have to make decisions today or is that something that can be a watch and wait and see."

The city council will hold the final vote on the budget at a called meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 10 a.m., at the City Manager's office at 1184 Scott Street.

In other city council business:

Conyers city council approved a redrawn map of the four Conyers city districts after holding a second public hearing at the city council meeting tonight. The proposed map will now be submitted to the US Department of Justice for approval, which has 60 days to respond. Chief Administrative Officer David Spann previously said he hoped it would be approved by the DOJ in time for the November elections.

The city council also approved a $1.50 charge on wireless and landline phones within the city for 911 services.