Staff report
CHINA GROVE ó Aldermen are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2008-2009 budget at their meeting tonight.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 205 Swink St.
The proposed budget maintains the current tax rate of 38 cents per $100 of property value. Water and sewer rates would increase to reflect the cost of water and sewer treatment from Salisbury-Rowan Utilities.
Currently, the town charges $7.60 per 1,000 gallons each for water and sewer, a combined cost of $15.20.
Under the new rates, which would take effect July 1 if adopted, the water rate would go to $8 per 1,000 gallons, with sewer at $9. The combined total of $17 would be an increase of $1.80.
After conducting the hearing, aldermen are set to adopt the budget, including the rates for water and sewer.
The board is also set to adopt a schedule of fees for various services provided by the town.
In other matters, the board will:
– Consider appointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. For the past two months, members of that board and its chairwoman, Lois Elliott, have pushed aldermen to appoint three new members recommended by the Zoning Board.
Aldermen opted to wait and seek additional applicants for the board, which is now involved in legal battle with a former alderman, Steve Stroud, over his home business.
– Hear an update on the proposed renovations for the public safety building.
– Conduct a public hearing and adopt the preliminary plat of the Miller’s Grant West subdivision off N.C. 152.
– Hear an update on enforcement issues from Tony Cline, the town’s code enforcement officer.
– Consider adopting a code of ethics for the mayor and town board members.
The board is also scheduled to hold a special meeting June 24 at 5:30 p.m. to approve amendments to the current budget.