MAY 28, 2009 ISSUE
Blowing Rock Budget: No Tax, Fee Hikes
Public Hearing Scheduled for June 9
The proposed budget for the Town of Blowing Rock for fiscal year 2009-10 is only $1,085 more than the budget adopted for 2008-09. Additionally, Town Manager Scott Hildebran does not propose any tax or fee increases in his recommended budget.
The recommended budget totals $6,378,025 for all town operations, capital improvements and debt service requirements. It maintains the current property tax rate of 28 cents per $100 valuation. At that rate, property owners would pay $1,680 on a $600,000 home.
“Though the current economic climate remains difficult, the FY 2009-2010 budget represents a level of funding which will allow the town to continue to maintain current service levels while making organizational changes to be cost effective and more efficient,” Hildebran wrote in his budget message.
Hildebran submitted his proposed budget to Blowing Rock Town Council members on May 12, and budget workshops took place on May 12 and 19. Additional workshops will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, and on Monday, June 1, if needed. A public hearing on the budget will be held on Tuesday, June 9, at the council’s regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock Town Hall.
Because of the current economic climate and negative Consumer Price Index, Hildebran explained, no salary or pay increases are recommended for town employees. However, Hildebran suggests that the town council revisit the matter in fall 2009. He also suggests an additional 12 hours of paid leave time for town employees.
No new employee hires are recommended. The proposed budget continues funding for a part-time parking enforcement officer and a part-time building inspector, positions that were added in 2008-09.
Total debt service expenditures for the General Fund and the Water/Sewer Fund are $1.2 million, or 19 percent of the total budget. Fiscal year 2008-09 debt service costs were $1.18 million—18.6 percent of the total budget.
The proposed budget increases the monies allocated from the General Fund and Water/Sewer Fund for capital reserves. Capital reserve funds are set aside for future large-expense capital projects. The proposed 2009-10 contribution to capital reserves is $416,000 (6.52 percent of the total budget), compared to a 2008-09 allocation of $367,200 (5.75 percent of the total budget).
The 2009-10 proposed budget continues funding for improvements in the town’s Comprehensive Plan, including such planning initiatives as the Downtown Streetscape Plan, the Downtown Retail Market Strategy, the Parks and Recreation and Landscape Master Plan, the Water & Sewer Capital Improvements Plan and the Town Pavement Plan. However, Hildebran cautioned, the town council may in future budget years have to “strongly consider the establishment of a Downtown Municipal Service District Tax to aid in funding specific downtown enhancement initiatives.”
For more information about the proposed Blowing Rock budget, call 828-295-5200 or click to www.TownOfBlowingRock.com.
Proposed 2009-10 Blowing Rock General Fund Expenditures
Governing Body $48,795 (1 percent)
Administrative/Finance $336,380 (6.92 percent)
Central Government $434,250 (8.93 percent)
Public Buildings/Grounds $722,485 (14.86 percent)
Police Department $975,000 (20.05 percent)
Emergency Services $408,600 (8.4 percent)
Planning and Zoning $230,520 (4.74 percent)
Street Department $972,695 (20.01 percent)
Sanitation Department $314,200 (6.46 percent)
Recreation Department $418,850 (8.62 percent)
Total $4,861,775
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