SALISBURY — The town of Cleveland has passed its budget for fiscal year 2013-14 without a tax increase.
The general fund budget is $879,879, the water fund budget is $122,300 and the sewer fund budget is $880,540. The property tax will remain at 25 cents.
After a public hearing on June 3, Mayor Pro Tem Danny Gabriel made a motion to adopt the budget ordinance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mary Frank Fleming-Adkins with all voting in favor. Commissioner Travis Summitt was absent.
The budget includes a 2 percent raise for employees and a $70,249 appropriation from the fund balance.
Also at the June 3 meeting, Cleveland town commissioners:
• Voted unanimously to increase fees for 3/4 inch water taps from $750 to $850, water taps larger than 3/4 inch from $1,200 to $1,300 and sewer taps from $1,000 to $1100.
• Voted unanimously to approve a water rate increase of 3 percent and a sewer rate increase of 7 percent. The town’s water fund and sewer fund budgets each must generate enough revenue to cover its own expenses.
• Agreed to let the Rowan-Salisbury School System nutrition program use the town park at no cost for a USDA Summer Food Service Program. The program will feed Cleveland children up to 18 years old from June 17 to Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The school system will provide the meals and garbage will be taken off-site.
• Approved a contract with Eddie Carrick, CPA, PC, to audit accounts for $4,350 and a contract with Brent H. Parks, CPA, PA, to provide year end accounting assistance for an amount not to exceed $2,850. • Appointed Leonard Hall as a town representative on Cleveland’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board effective July 1 for a three-year term expiring on June 30, 2016.
• Reappointed Jennings Nelson to another three-year term as an extraterritorial (ETJ) member of Cleveland’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board.
• Approved the purchase of a Toro lawn mower from Sharpe’s Lawn Equipment and Service for $9,137.80. Commissioners also approved a budget amendment in the general fund in expenses to move $1,200 from contingency to the maintenance department in capital outlay for this purchase.

Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.
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