Local News - June 2003

Board votes against tax hike

Budget plan draws from fund balance

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to present for public hearing a budget with no property tax increase and no extra departmental cuts.

The county will have to dip into its fund balance, which by the end of June should contain an estimated $9.5 million.

They also agreed to try to grant a 2.5 percent pay raise for county employees midyear if they feel funding is adequate.

Since Tuesday’s budget work session, rumors have been circulating about which department or organization was on the chopping block.

After a presentation by Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce President Ken Kindley, Commissioner Tom Anderson tried to put those rumors to rest. Commissioner Carrol Mitchem echoed Anderson.

“It really amazes me how fast this can be done and all the rumors that can get around,” Mitchem said. “All this is not true. No single one thing has been targeted.”

Heads of various departments spoke to the board during Thursday’s work session, citing facts, figures and feelings on why they shouldn’t be cut.

Officials from the Lincoln County Public Library, Chamber of Commerce, Historical Association, County Fire Marshal’s Office and others told commissioners that additional cuts were impossible to make. For some, cutting staff positions would be the only way, they said.

After the groups stated their cases, Commissioner Larry Craig said that each organization served a vital and important part in life in Lincoln County.

“In my opinion, everybody who presented their case has justified their funding in full,” Craig said.

He then made a motion to fund those organizations that spoke during the work session.

That sparked a flurry of motions and sub-motions, all aimed at maintaining the current property tax and taking nearly $2.1 million out of the fund balance.

Mitchem made a motion to take County Manager Stan Kiser’s budget recommendation but keep property taxes at 62 cents and take the additional funds out of the fund balance.

“I’m about ready to be done with this,” Mitchem said. “History, over with, done.”

Craig withdrew his original motion and supported Mitchem’s.

“I’ll support anything to get this budget passed as is without raising taxes,” Craig said.

After that motion was unanimously approved, Craig made a motion to look at the budget midyear and consider a cost of living adjustment for employees if commissioners feel funds are adequate.

That motion also passed unanimously.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for 7 p.m. June 16.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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