GRANITE QUARRY — The Board of Aldermen approved Thursday a $1.9 million budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. It includes a 2 cents-per-$100 valuation property tax increase.
The increase brings Granite Quarry’s ad valorem property tax rate to 42 cents per $100 valuation.
For the owner of a $100,000 home, for example, the property tax in Granite Quarry will increase $20, from $400 to $420 a year.
The owner of property valued at $200,000 will see his Granite Quarry taxes increase by $40 a year, from $800 to $840 annually.
In approving the budget and the tax increase, the board phrased its motion to make it clear the 2-cent increase was considered “a special tax” to meet the town’s obligations for a new fire truck.
“… And the 2 cents will sunset once the fire engine debit is retired,” the motion added.
“That makes me feel better,” Alderman Arin Wilhelm said of the sunset provision. The town expects the new fire truck, which will be delivered this fall, to be paid off in seven years.
Alderman Mike Brinkley agreed the sunset provision should be included because that’s what town officials have told residents the tax increase was for.
“To let it reside after the fire engine is paid is not right,’ Brinkley said.
The town’s solid waste fee also increases 50 cents a month to $11 per pickup.
Here are some other town budget numbers:
• Maintenance Department: $193,254.
• Administration: $366,758, which includes a contingency of $15,605 and “visionary funds” of $2,500. Planning and zoning also is included in the administration budget.
• Police: $585,532.
• Fire Department: $373,915.
• Parks and Recreation: $61,701.
• Environmental: $172,500 covers solid waste and recycling pickup.
• Projects: The $116,059 budget for capital projects includes $85,059 for sidewalks, $3,000 for the East Rowan Express and $28,000 for roads.
• The budget for town board salaries and expenses is $16,679.
Aldermen held a 5 p.m. public hearing Thursday before the budget’s approval, but no one was in attendance except for Mayor Bill Feather, Wilhelm, Brinkley, the town manager and town clerk.
Mayor Pro Tem Jim LaFevers and Alderwoman Mary S. Ponds did not attend.
The vote was unanimous for the budget.
In other business, the board approved $7,500 to pay for a new survey on recently annexed county property along Heilig Road.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.