By Holly Fesperman LeeSalisbury Post
GRANITE QUARRY ó Town residents will enjoy the same tax rate next year but most will see higher bills because of a countywide revaluation.
The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously this week to adopt the 2007-2008 budget presented by Alderman Jake Fisher on behalf of the finance committee.
Aldermen set the tax rate at 33 cents per $100 in valuation. Fisher said that the tax rate in Granite Quarry has stayed the same for the past five years.
Because of revaluation, the town would have had to lower the tax rate to 29.3 cents per $100 in valuation to bring in the same amount of revenue it did last year.
Most Granite Quarry residents will see higher tax bills because the value of their property has increased. Granite Quarry’s tax base grew from $180.3 million to $198 million after the revaluation, according to the Rowan County Tax Assessor’s Office.
Also during Monday’s board meeting:
– About 10 people who live near Dunn’s Mountain Baptist Church, a few of them church members, spoke at a public hearing to oppose Pastor Bill Little’s application to start a school and day care center at the church.
According to Deputy Town Clerk Susan Closner, the request was to amend the ordinance to allow a level C child day care ó meaning it would serve 10 or more children ó as a conditional use in a single family residential district, not to rule on whether or not the church can have the school and day care center.
“It’s not to rezone the property, it’s just to allow a day care at that level,” Closner said.
Little’s plans included building a day care and Montessori school to try and reach people who aren’t being reached now, Town Clerk Becky Shives said.
Little told aldermen that two-thirds of the church’s congregation was in agreement with the plan.
Because of the controversy surrounding the request, board members decided to delay their decision until the July 2 meeting so they can gather more information.
Shives said those who came out to oppose the day care were concerned that their water and sewer would be affected by possible annexation.
– Aldermen voted to allow a Sno Biz shaved ice and sweet-treats shop in the parking lot of the Granite Crossings Shopping Center.
– The board heard that firefighter Brian Sebastian has been promoted to captain and the fire department has added one firefighter, Corey Goins, to the roster.
– Aldermen voted to approve a recommendation to go to a town manager form of government.
In the new format, the town manager will oversee town business and make day-to-day operating decisions, while acting on behalf of the board.
– Board members also voted to hire a part-time maintenance assistant for the summer months. The town has applications now and the decision will be made next week.
The person hired will assist with mowing, weeding, working in the parks and general maintenance.
– Aldermen announced that the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Granite Lake Park will be June 23 at 11 a.m.
Contact Holly Lee at 704-797-7683 or hlee@salisburypost.com.