Rowan County commissioners to receive 2019-2020 budget for review

Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 19, 2019

SALISBURY — When the Rowan County Board of Commissioners meets Monday, it will receive the 2019-2020 fiscal year proposed budget.

County Manager Aaron Church is scheduled to present the budget to the board for the first time during the 6 p.m. meeting at the county administration building — 131 W. Innes St. It will set expenditures for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2020.

Commissioners Chairman Greg Edds declined Friday to comment on the budget or priorities for the coming year, saying he had not seen the proposed budget yet.

This marks a revaluation year budget, in which commissioners could choose to set a revenue-neutral rate. And with overall property tax values increasing in the most recent revaluation, revenue-neutral could mean a decrease in the actual tax rate, which currently sits at 66.25 cents per $100 in valuation

The 2018-2019 budget included $152 million in general fund expenditures, a 1.8-percent increase from the prior year. That increase did not require a tax hike.

At Monday’s meeting, the board is expected to set a time for a budget workshop and a public hearing.

Last year, the board scheduled the budget work session and public hearing for the first Monday of June, with the following schedule:

  • A budget workshop which started at 1 p.m.
  • A regular board meeting which began at 3 p.m.
  • A public hearing that started at 6 p.m.

In other business:

• The board will hold a public hearing for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds to extend a sewer line to a proposed fulfillment center on Long Ferry Road that will house online pet product retailer Chewy.com.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority has already approved the use of up to $1.5 million. After the public hearing is held, Rowan County EDC has asked that the Board of Commissioners approve the application for the grant.

• Listed on the consent agenda, the board will consider leasing a vacant store in West End Plaza to the Salisbury-Rowan Sport’s Hall of Fame.

This will serve as a long-term location for the Hall of Fame.