Winfall holds delayed hearing on budget

Winfall Town Council was scheduled to meet and approve the town’s roughly $1 million budget on Thursday — just days before the new fiscal year begins on Monday.

Council had scheduled a public hearing on the 2024-25 budget for Monday, June 24, the same night it had set a hearing on the town’s offer to lease its fire department building and firefighting equipment to the Winfall Firefighters Association.

But because of several matters still needing discussion Mayor Preston White said council’s budget vote would be delayed until Thursday.

“Some questions came up last night and we need to make sure we are putting in the right numbers. This is dealing with the tax revenue. The budget vote has been delayed and a separate public meeting has been announced,” he said.

According to a copy of the proposed 2024-25 budget on Winfall’s website, the spending plan includes a general fund of $789,170 and sewer fund of $278,817.

Of the general fund’s expenditures, $254,317 is for general government, $99,200 for public safety, $167,050 for roads and grounds, $46,000 for sanitation and $36,711 for debt service. The budget also includes $194,892 from the town’s fund balance.

The proposed budget includes revenues of $289,000 from current-year and prior year real property taxes; $225,000 from sales taxes; $100,000 from Perquimans County for the Winfall Fire Department; $46,000 in solid waste fees; $36,000 in prior year Powell Bill funds and $20,000 in current year Powell Bill monies; $26,000 in franchise taxes; and $31,760 in other revenue.

The town’s proposed budget for the Winfall Fire Department is $90,000. Of that amount, half will go toward the cost of fire equipment. Another $16,771 will go toward the payment on a fire truck; $9,000 for utilities; $9,029 for vehicle maintenance and gas; $4,000 for building maintenance and supplies; $3,000 toward firefighter retirement costs; and $1,200 for membership dues and banquet costs.

According to White, the town plans to hire a police officer “in the future” but won’t be including any money in the 2024-25 budget for one. The town’s police budget spends $8,700 on a police car payment and $500 for vehicle repair and maintenance and gasoline costs.

Asked what Winfall is contributing to the cost of law enforcement within town limits — the Perquimans Sheriff’s Office provides the service now — White indicated the town isn’t contributing anything right now.

“We are not yet ready to introduce that to the Town budget at this time ... due to pre-existing matters with the town,” he said in the email. He did not elaborate.