No-Tax-Increase Budget

The Board of Commissioners at its budget work session on Monday, June 9, voted to request a no-tax-increase alternative budget to the recommended fiscal year 2003-04 budget . County staff developed the alternative budget and made it public Wednesday, June 11.

County Manager David Cooke's recommended budget, presented to the Board on May 19, calls for a 6.6% increase in spending to fund the School System's request, Sheriff's personnel to staff the Hammond Road Detention Center, and increased demands for Human Services, among other programs. The County manager's budget also calls for a property tax increase of 4 cents per $100 of valuation that would generate $26.3 million in additional revenue. The alternative budget scenario released Wednesday recoups the $26.3-million amount through reductions to the recommended fiscal year 2003-04 budget.

Commissioners will consider both versions of the budget for approval at their meeting Monday, June 16. The meeting, which will begin 30 minutes earlier than usual, at 1:30 p.m., will include a public comment period.

The no-tax-increase version of the fiscal year 2003-04 budget calls for commissioners to:

• Eliminate funding for new and expanded programs for County departments, the Sheriff's office and the Wake County Public School System;
• Reduce County employees' recommended average pay increase from 4% to 2%;
• Reduce property tax revenue to the capital program by 1 cent, which will eliminate money for new libraries, parks and open space;
• Reduce operating funding to Exploris by $1 million and other community agencies by 10%;
• Reduce County services including Human Services programs, closing the firing range for public use, closing parks during non-peak times, reducing operating hours of libraries and reducing environmental education.

For detailed information on both versions of budget, click here.  Comments or questions on the budget can be sent via email to budget@co.wake.nc.us or by calling (919) 664-5559.