No property tax hikes expected for 2023-24

May 19—LENOIR — Municipal and county leaders throughout Caldwell County have begun the process of planning budgets for fiscal year 2023-24.

According to Lenoir City Manager Scott Hildebran, for fiscal year 2023-24, the city's General Fund revenues/expenditures estimate is slightly more than $22 million. The budget is balanced with the current property tax rate, which will remain at 57 cents per $100 valuation. The Utility Fund (water and sewer) revenue/expenditures estimate is $10.7 million. The Main Street fund (Special Downtown Tax District) revenues/expenditures estimate is $236,900. The recommended budget contains no new debt and does not use any fund balance.

Lenoir City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss the 2023-24 budget in the City/County Chambers (located on the lower level of the Alden E. Starnes County Office Plaza) on Tuesday, June 6 at 6 p.m.

Hudson Town Manager Jonathan Greer reported the town's proposed 2023-24 budget does not have a tax increase and the tax rate will remain the same at 43 cents per $100 valuation. Projected revenue is $4.6 million and the budget is balanced. General Fund operating expenses are projected to be $313,415 less than the current fiscal year.

Town of Hudson officials are proposing to purchase a new mini-excavator ($60,000) and asphalt roller ($26,300) for Public Works; new kitchen equipment ($7,500), HVAC upgrades ($15,000), and parking lot expansion for the HUB Station ($100,000); and two new picnic shelters ($15,000) for Redwood Park to replace an aging shelter. They are also proposing to resurface certain town streets sometime next year ($85,000).

The public hearing to discuss Hudson's proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24 is set for Tuesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall. The proposed budget is still a working document, subject to change, until the public hearing and adoption by the Board of Commissioners.

According to Rick Justice, Rhodhiss town manager, the current property tax rate in Rhodhiss will remain at 55 cents per $100 valuation.

The town's expected revenues are $820,500 from the General Fund. Out of that, $292,800 will be spent on administrations, beautification, and capital outlay. Some projects are currently underway to clean up properties in the town. Town Council has asked for extra funding for the Rhodhiss Police Department that would go toward hiring a part-time officer and providing the department with supplies. The town of Rhodhiss has also been granted funds to replace a water line across the bridge.

A public hearing to discuss the town of Rhodhiss's proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24 will take place at the Boy Scout Building (102 Church St.) on Monday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Village of Cedar Rock officials do not anticipate a change in the tax rate, which is currently 20 cents per $100 valuation. In addition to normal expenditures, Cedar Rock's budget includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that will be used primarily for drainage system work and public safety issues.

A public hearing to discuss Cedar Rock's proposed budget will be prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting on Tuesday, June 20.

Cedar Rock Mayor Bob Floyd, Jr. explained that council can provide income and expense information at that time. The above information is tentative and preliminary until final budget approval.

Gamewell Town Manager Bonnie Caudle explained that Gamewell does not charge a property tax. The town still has some ARPA funds left that contribute to the General Fund balance of $1.1 million.

Town officials are planning to start two large capital projects and will move some fund balance over to do so. A little over $400,000 will go toward half of the planned sewer extensions. A foot bridge will be added to connect Gamewell Park to the medical park.

A public hearing to discuss the Town of Gamewell's proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24 will take place in the Town Hall on Monday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m.

The town of Cajah's Mountain does not have a property tax. Town officials are planning to rebuild the pump station that will be paid for with ARPA grants and COVID funds.

A public hearing to discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, June 5 at 1800 Connelly Springs Rd.

Officials from the towns of Sawmills and Granite Falls did not immediately respond to the News-Topic's budget inquiries prior to the deadline for this story.

The town of Granite Falls will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 19, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed budget.

Caldwell County Manager Donald Duncan explained that the county's property tax rate will remain at 63 cents per $100 valuation. The General Fund balance is $113.5 million. The Water Fund balance is $4.4 million, and the Opioid Fund balance is $560,709. In total, that's a projected $118.1 million in revenue for Caldwell County.

The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners will vote on the budget at their 6 p.m. meeting on Monday, June 12.