On Monday, the town board will get its first look at the budget and will begin to decipher how to make both items a reality for Roseboro and its people.
In an interview with Ammons, she pointed directly to the fire truck and the new water well as two major commitments board members have to consider as they prepare the budget for 2009-10.
“Those are my biggest concerns because of the new debt service in them,” said Ammons.
In the case of the fire truck, she explained that the board has already sought out a USDA grant to pay for $100,000 of the fire truck’s cost, leaving the town to pay an additional $250,000.
In addition, she remarked that the town is also at the point where it may start taking bids for the new well project, the very one mayor Roland Hall has stressed as a significant need of the town.
At this point, Ammons stressed that she cannot foresee whether the board will prepare for significant increases or decreases in next year’s budget.
“We are not at that point yet,” Ammons established, saying that if she had to pinpoint a place where an increase might occur, the utility department may see a hike, but only to cover the cost of the new well.
Hall also feels that the purchase of the fire truck and the new well are the two most significant factors in determining this year’s budget.
Hall said Ammons will also have preliminary information in regards to this year’s budget and how the town will stand going into the next fiscal year.
While he cannot say for sure if there will be any budget increases next year, the mayor stressed that the disbanding of the police department will help with the town’s fiscal situation. Hall pointed out that the town will save about $60,000 in the 2009-10 budget as a result of moving towards a Sheriff’s Department-led force.
He also stated that there may be talk of the town moving into a new agreement with Waste Industries, and that agreement may also impact the town’s budget in a positive way.
“That is a potential area where there could be a reduction,” said Hall.
As the town board prepares to look at next year’s budget, he hopes to keep one additional goal in mind as his board meets on Monday — no tax increase.
But Hall said he does not think it will be an easy job considering some predictions that he has heard. One prediction would be a 10 percent reduction in all state sales tax figures; the other prediction would lead to a three to five percent reduction in property tax collection.
And, as he and the Roseboro board members look to next year’s budget, Hall stressed that those predictions will weigh heavily on their choices.
“By necessity, we have to prepare for these shortfalls,” Hall noted.
Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by email at silife@myclintonnc.com.
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