HC budget approved

Published 10:18 am Wednesday, June 27, 2012

WINTON – Hertford County residents will not experience an increase in property taxes, but a rate hike is on the horizon for dumping trash.

In a unanimous vote here Tuesday morning, the Hertford County Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2012-13 budget. That $23.77 million financial spreadsheet keeps the tax rate the same (84 cents per $100 of valuation). However, the Solid Waste fee increases by $10 annually (from $115 to $125).

There are no increases in the user fees paid by customers of the county’s Northern and Southern Rural Water Districts.

The tax rate is based on a $1.47 billion total valuation of property at a 94 percent collection rate.

The new budget is built on a foundation supported by $10.79 million in ad valorem taxes, $3.45 million in restricted intergovernmental DSS funds, $3.31 million in sales and use taxes, $1.23 million in vehicle taxes, $1.13 million in sales and services and uses $1.1 million from appropriated fund balance, a figure that is lower than last year ($1.45 million).

The lion’s share of the funds will go to human services ($6.47 million highlighted by over $5 million to DSS), education ($5.86 million, including $4.17 million to Hertford County Public Schools in current expense funds and a combined $795,000 in capital outlay and special appropriation), public safety ($5.77 million, including a combined $3.7 million for the jail and sheriff’s office) and general government ($3.38 million).

Commissioner Howard Hunter III motioned for approval of the new budget. Commissioner Ronald Gatling offered a second and the motion passed by a 4-0 vote (with Commissioner Bill Mitchell absent from Tuesday’s meeting).

The new budget takes affect July 1.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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