Considers one-percent increase in water/sewer rates
The Town of Tryon is reviewing its proposed budget for fiscal year 2012-2013, which includes no tax increases but a one-percent increase in water and sewer rates.
Tryon Town Council met Tuesday, May 15 and set Tuesday, June 19 as a public hearing for the new budget.
Tryon is proposing a total budget of $4,130,620 for next fiscal year. The current tax rate of $47.78 cents per $100 of valuation is proposed to remain the same.
The water and sewer increase includes a reduction in the base usage amount from 1,000 gallons to 750 gallons per month. Projections are that the change will mean the base water bill for a customer inside town limits would increase from the current $14.71 per month to $14.86 per month. A base water bill for a customer outside town limits is projected to increase from the current $32.30 to $32.62 per month, according to the proposed budget.
Other additions to next year’s budget include the proposal to purchase two new patrol cars for the police department, which are expected to be financed. The proposed budget also allows for $9,000 in the police department for upgrades to the department’s radio system. These upgrades are needed to comply with new regulations mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Also included in the budget proposal is a 2-percent employee bonus.
The fire budget and Harmon Field budget are proposed to remain the same, with no tax increases proposed.
The proposed budget includes a contribution to fund balance of $7,359, but that projection could change depending on what the town decides related to hiring a permanent town manager and the need for a new computer network server. Fire chief Joey Davis is currently serving as the town’s interim town manager.
The proposed budget expenditures of $4,130,620 are less than this year’s approved budget, which included $4,970,720 in expenditures.
The general fund is proposed to decrease from this year’s approved budget of $1,775,503 to $1,623,975 for next year.
The water and sewer fund is also proposed to decrease from this year’s approved budget of $1,906,826 to $1,748,245 for next year.
Town council plans to hold budget work sessions later this month to discuss the budget proposal in detail. The town’s new budget year will begin July 1.