MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Moultrie City Council is prepared to vote on Tuesday to reduce the city’s tax rate and accept a budget that’s almost a half-million dollars smaller than last year.

The council approved first and second readings of the millage rate two weeks ago, setting it at 9.850 mills. That’s down from 9.935 mills in the 2017-18 budget. To take effect, it must be approved at third and final readings Tuesday night.

The budget, on the other hand, needs to be approved only once. The proposed spending plan is $50,831,100, which is down from the current year’s $51,263,776.

The city’s fiscal year starts Oct. 1.

City Manager Pete Dillard said the budget includes a restructuring of salaries for police officers and firefighters to bring them in line with other agencies in the region. Police salaries will grow by $90,535 and fire department salaries by $26,313, but Dillard didn’t break that down into percentage increases per employee.

All other departments are budgeted for raises up to 3 percent for demonstrated performance, he said.

Dillard said the biggest contributors to the budget reduction were budget discipline in every department and the use of sales tax funds instead of general funds for capital outlays such as police cars and road work equipment.

Last year’s budget benefited from a significant reduction in insurance costs due to several actions the council had taken, and Dillard said those savings are expected to increase slightly this year. The council on Tuesday will consider a broker for the 2018-19 health insurance plan.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda are considerations for de-annexation in the Circle Road area and a recommendation for the lease of the old Southern Tire building at Spence Field.

Council meets for a work session at 5 p.m. and regular meeting at 6 on the second floor of the Moultrie Municipal Building, 21 First Ave. N.E.