Walnut Creek won't face property tax hike
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on April 29, 2005 1:46 PM
WALNUT CREEK -- Village residents will not face a property tax increase to pay for Walnut Creek's proposed 2005-06 budget.
But they may have to pay higher monthly utility bills. Sewer rates will rise if, as expected, Goldsboro increases what it charges the village for wastewater treatment.
The Village Council began discussing the draft budget during its regular meeting Wednesday night.
The budget does not include new programs or employees. Current staff would get a 3-percent cost-of-living increase.
The proposal is based on a 36-cents-per-$100 property tax rate, the same as this year. That would mean the owner of a $275,000 house would pay $990 in village taxes, in addition to Wayne County taxes.
The village would receive about $885,000 in revenue next year, up $20,000 from this year, Mayor Ken Ritt said.
Goldsboro recently informed the village that it would be asking for a 15-percent increase in what it charges its wastewater customers. If that happens, the village will need to raise its sewer bills but no more than $5 a household per month, Ritt said.
The village's utility budget next year is expected to be $277,000.
Village officials plan to finalize the budget within the next two weeks and then make it available for review. A public hearing will be held at the council's May 25 meeting.
State law requires local governments to adopt annual budgets before July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.