The only citizen to speak during last week’s public hearing on the town of Hertford’s proposed $7.6 million budget praised the plan — even though it raises the town’s property tax rate and water and electric rates.
“Some things I was not particularly happy with but I understood it,” Dara Winslow said, referring to the proposed budget during the May 29th hearing. “If previous councils had been responsible, we wouldn’t be paying increases on utilities to make ends meet. I thought the town manager and the finance (officer) did a great job.”
Winslow was referring to the fact that Town Manager Janice Cole’s proposed budget raises the town’s property tax rate from a revenue-neutral 48 cents per $100 valuation to 52 cents, increases customers’ base monthly sewer charge from $43.70 to $47.02, and raises their monthly base electric service charge from $15 to $18.
The budget is based on the recent property revaluation in Perquimans County that increased Hertford’s tax base by $43.2 million. Last year, the town’s tax base was $119,602,769. This year, following revaluation, the tax base is $162,809,911.
Cole is proposing that Town Council raise the tax rate from a revenue-neutral 48 cents to 52 cents. That would raise $846,612 in revenue in 2024-25, a little over $65,000 more than this year. However, because the town’s property tax collection rate is 97%, Cole estimates the actual amount in additional revenue will only be $846,612, about $40,000 more than if the rate remained revenue-neutral.
Services that town must provide citizens are also rising in cost. Under the budget proposal, some of the larger expenditures in the general fund include $489,592 for town administration, $459,836 for street maintenance, $375,000 for law enforcement, $218,017 for fire protection, $184,140 for sanitation, $174,000 for planning and zoning, and $130,707 for an expenditure labeled “governing body.” The town council’s deadline to approve a budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year is June 30.
Cole previously has said that while town officials have tried to keep the tax increase to a minimum, the tax hike is “necessary because the costs of everything have and continue to go up.”
“Our utility rate increases are also necessary because of price increases of chemicals and electric poles and other operating costs,” she said, referring to proposed increases in sewer charges and electric rates.
“In addition we must generate sufficient income to maintain and replace our pipes and (water and sewer) systems so that in 10 years our streets won’t be caving in or (we) have water standing in them because of the condition of the pipes underneath,” Cole said.
Council is now expected to vote on the spending plan at its meeting on Monday.
In other business, Councilwomen Sandra Anderson and Connie Brothers lauded the success of recent public events that have helped bring visitors to town.
Anderson complimented the May 27th Memorial Day ceremony at the county courthouse. Brothers applauded the Open Door Food Pantry’s jail-a-thon fundraiser on May 24 which raised $34,000 to support the pantry’s operations.
Mayor Ashley Hodges said he’s looking forward to the tourism season. He noted that the town’s water recreation options have improved. One of those options is the kayaks that both visitors and locals can rent any hour of the day to use exploring the Perquimans River.
“The kayaks are in a cage and you can use a QR code to guide you through the process of renting them,” he said. “No cash is required. It is going well. We put them in there last fall so they are just in time for spring use.”
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