By: Joy Warren
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During the Monday evening Elizabethtown Town Council meeting, Town Manager Eddie Madden gave an overview of the Proposed Budget for FY 2015-16. According to Madden, “This budget will set into motion the next steps to accomplish many of the priorities that have been established by Mayor Campbell and the Town Council during their budget retreat on March 26th.” The total budget for all funds is $6,507,254. The allocations are as follows:
2014-15 Adopted Budget 2015-16 Proposed Budget
General Fund $4,882,889 $4,821,054
Utility Fund $1,679,480 $1,686,200
Total All Funds $6,562,369 $6,507,254
Given the uncertainty with the revaluation process, Madden states, “we are forecasting tax revenues to be essentially the same as the current year.” Overall, the Bladen County Tax Assessor’s office has estimated the total net tax valuation to be $249,898,141. The $0.615 tax rate (per $100 valuation) is projected to generate $2,711,912 in revenues for real, personal and utility property, and for motor vehicles, based on a tax collection ratio of 98.68%. The Business Improvement District Tax is recommended to remain at $0.10 per $100 valuation. The proposed budget includes an average increase of 2% (for inflation) in water/sewer rates and sanitation rates would remain the same. A 1.5% cost of living increase is proposed to employee salaries and no increase in health insurance until 2016. A public hearing has been set for June 1st.
Council approved a Special Use permit order approval for 4C Holding, LLC. The property is at 404 Poplar Street. A resolution was also approved for an increased loan amount for the Downtown Collection System Project and Project Ordinance.
Pastor Jason Williams presented a proposal for a The Cape Fear River Run Half Marathon and 5K to be held in Downtown Elizabethtown onJune 6th with proceeds to go towards School Ministries, INC. The Council approved the event. School Ministries, INC. is a nonprofit orgaization that partners with communities across the bible nation to bring hope ad purpose to the lives of studets in grades K-12 through Christian Released Time Education. For more information ad registration https://its-go-time.com/cape-fear-river-run/ . The event is sponsored by Woodmen of the World.
Mayor Campbell read a Proclamation recognizing National Police Week for May 10-16, 2015. She commended our Police Department and the work they do to maintain order and protect the citizens of Elizabethtown. In addition, Dr. Robert Heavenridge, with the Bladen County Board of Education accepted a framed resolution from Mayor Campbell recognizing May 4 – 8th as National Teacher Appreciation Week.
In administrative matters, Council approved the contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams and Co. for the Audit for FY 2014-15; adopted the Capital Improvement Plan for 2015-19; approved Utility Releases; awarded bid for Replacement Well #1 to Charles R. Underwood Inc.; reappointed Charles DeVane to the ABC Commission; approved lease with Cape Fear BBQ and Chicken at the Farmer’s Market for their office; and approved budget amendments and the monthly financial report.
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