The rate rose last year from $6 to $7.50, but higher fuel prices have necessitated this new jump. The Town of Walnut Cove has agreed to absorb some of the rising costs; $13 would be the rate if the town passed the entire increase on to residents.
These were the final decisions made at a special meeting for the Town of Walnut Cove on Thursday. There was, however, discussion about raising taxes. Commissioner Lora Carter asked what services the citizens get for their tax dollars. Town Manager Homer Dearmin named quite a few, including public works, fire and police protection, street maintenance, brush/leaf pick-up, and streetlights. “We have comparably lower rates compared to other municipalities,” he concluded.
Commissioner Polly Goolsby stated that people don’t want a tax increase, then she added, “But if you want convenience, you’re gonna have to pay for it.”
With regard to increases in town fees, Carter asked if the rates could be reduced later. “The rates are adjustable at any time,” Dearmin explained. He noted, however, that before reducing fees, other priorities must be weighed, since extra tax dollars could go to fund other things.
At that time, Carter made a formal motion to raise the garbage collection rate to $9. Commissioner Dr. Debbie Cowan seconded the motion which then carried unanimously.
Next on the agenda was more discussion of the 2008-09 fiscal year budget. Dearmin gave the board a revised copy of that budget, having taken into account some discrepancies noted by town resident Sharon Conaway at the June 3 meeting. Allotment for FICA had been underbudgeted, as pointed out by Conaway, and was corrected from $8,500 to $9,300. 401K funds were also underbudgeted and were changed from $5,000 to $6,100.
Conaway’s concerns relating to police department salaries were also valid, with the mistake being a failure to take into account an additional employee. The figures were adjusted to reflect 7.5 employees rather than 6.5. This changed the total proposed salary expenditure, as well as FICA and insurance costs for the police department.
The only place where changes impacted the bottom line of the budget was in water/sewer. A $140,000 salary total was corrected to $136,000, with corresponding changes in FICA and 401k. The adjusted total of the entire budget was $1,548,250.
Dearmin made the suggestion that the board may need to look at forming a finance committee for next year, stating “that it is hard for one person to look at it all.”
Goolsby suggested that next year a public hearing be held a week or two before the actual board meeting where the budget is voted on. Then the decision could be made after considering public comments. The board agreed that this was a good idea. Goolsby then made a motion to adopt the budget ordinance with a second from Commissioner Kim Lewis. The motion was carried unanimously.
Post a Comment
