Town councils in Burke County have received proposed budgets for fiscal year 2009-10. Those budgets include:
Drexel
The town's proposed budget for 2009-10 will go up slightly over its 2008-09 budget, from $3.5 million to $3.7 million. It is suggested the tax rate remain at 32 cents per $100 of property value.
That's because of a $100,000 match for a grant the town applied for to build a park near town hall, said Matt Settlemyer, town manager. The town hasn't received the grant yet but is budgeting for the match in the coming fiscal year.
Residents will likely see an increase electric, water and sewer rates.
Electric rates will increase 5 percent if the budget is approved. The increase is due to a 5-percent wholesale rate increase from the town's supplier, according to the town's budget.
Water rates for residents in the town limits also will likely go up to $10 for the first 3,000 gallons and 95 cents per 1,000 additional gallons.
Sewer also is slated to go up to $10 for the first 3,000 gallons and $1.15 for each additional 1,000 gallons for residents in the town limits.
Water and sewer rates for customers outside town limits will double.
The budget also calls for swing-set and playground replacement at the R.O. Huffman Center and a new pumper truck for the fire department.
In addition, there's a hiring freeze on town positions and no merit pay increases. It does, though, call for a cost-of-living adjustment for employees.
A public hearing on the town's budget is set for June 1.
Glen Alpine
The town is considering two versions of a budget for 2009-10. The difference between the two budgets is a pay increase for employees, said Eva Moses, town clerk.
One version of the proposed budget calls for a 3-percent salary increase for all employees and one week's pay at Christmas.
Another version calls for no salary increase but would give employees one week's pay at Christmas.
The money for the pay increase would come out of the town's fund balance, said Moses. A fund balance is a type of savings fund.
Both versions of the proposed budget call for a part-time police office to cover vacations and holidays. And both versions call for a part-time position for public works for 20 hours a week.
The proposed budget for next fiscal year is $578,002. It is suggested the tax rate remain at 27 cents per $100 of property value.
A public hearing on the budget is set for June 2.
Hildebran
According to the town's proposed budget, the tax rate should remain at 15 cents per $100 of property value.
The town's budget is $1,042,611.
Something new in the budget is $32,000 for curbside recycling. The town plans to offer the service to residents starting July 1, said Ella Caudle, town clerk.
Simply Green will contract with the town to provide the service.
Residents will have to sign up for curbside recycling, Caudle said. That's so the town can keep track of the bins and will know how much to budget for the next fiscal year, Caudle said.
Also in the proposed budget is $9,250 to have Western Piedmont Council of Governments conduct a comprehensive land use plan for the town. Caudle said it was 1997 when the last one was done, Caudle.
The proposed budget also calls for $10,000 to go toward the town's effort for a park and a grant application.
The budget also sets aside $167,000 for street improvements and $25,000 for economic development.
It also calls for $250,000 to be set aside for sewer improvements.
A public hearing on the budget will be held June 23.
Editor's Note: Coming soon — The News Herald will report on the proposed town budgets of Rutherford College, Connelley Springs and Valdese.
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