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Monday, June 15, 2009 4:31 PM Kenly budget hikes water, sewer rates By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer KENLY -- Kenly's approved budget for next year keeps the property tax rate down, but includes across-the-board increases in water and sewer rates and eliminates or leaves vacant a handful of town jobs. Town Manager Scott Shelton said the rate hikes were necessary because the town has seen a decrease in property tax collections, and sales tax and water and sewer revenue because of the recession. The town also has to make up for a $480,000 N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant for work on its wastewater treatment plant that it lost after Gov. Bev Perdue seized it to balance the state budget. The Kenly Town Council approved the budget during its regular meeting last week. The $2,211,703 million budget for 2009-10 keeps the tax rate at 61 cents per $100 valuation, but raises water and sewer rates by 5 percent. The water and sewer rates for in-town customers will rise from $4.54 and $7.75 per 1,000 gallons used to $4.77 and $8.14. The in-town connection fees for water and sewer will also rise from $2.10 and $3.15 to $2.21 and $3.31. The water and sewer rates for out-of-town customers will rise from $6.30 and $11.34 per 1,000 gallons to $6.62 and $11.91. The out-of-town connection fees for water and sewer will rise from $2.63 and $3.94 to $2.76 and $4.14. The budget, a $90,484 decrease from the current year's budget, also includes cuts to town positions. The town public works supervisor position, which has been vacant for months, will not be filled, and the duties will be split among town staff. A vacant position in the town police department will also be left open unless a grant from the federal COPS Hiring Recovery Program can be used to fill it. In addition, town employees will not be given merit raises or cost-of-living increases this year. Shelton said that with the loss of the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant, the town will have to make up the money by applying for federal stimulus money through the USDA, which will require debt service. The town's budget goes into effect July 1 and can be viewed at the town hall at 206 W. 2nd St. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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