In an interview, the town clerk explained that while the first budget planning sessions have not begun for the year, she does think that everything seems to be running “status quo” with the tax rate currently $0.32 per $100 valuation.
In fact, the town’s current tax rate has been in place since 2003, when the rate decreased from $0.37 to $0.32.
“We still have the same tax base, and I don’t foresee anything to be a big switch,” Faircloth commented. However, she pointed out that reevaluation is in 2011 and could impact the town’s tax base.
The town clerk then noted that in order for her to get a better picture of the town’s budget, the town will have to have its first budget sessions which start later on this month an will be schedule tomorrow night.
Faircloth added that her first draft of the fiscal plan will be prepared for the May meeting after she and the town board are able to determine what the needs of the town are and any cost analysis for these needs.
However, while she does not see a tax increase in the picture yet, she also advised that she doesn’t see a tax decrease either. In fact, the only major project she pointed out related to getting businesses to occupy the spaces in the new Strickland building, which is located in the downtown area.
“This is all part of our efforts to revitalize the town,” said Faircloth. Also, she pointed out that county economic developer John Swope has been working with Salemburg in finding potential businesses to locate there and town leaders have been attending all local Base Realignment and Closure meetings to see if Salemburg might benefit from this change.
Now within the town office itself, Faircloth contends that she could use some computer upgrades, and she will be mentioning it to the town board, but she does not consider these to be major budget issues.
Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.
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