By David Purtell

david.purtell@salisburypost.com

SPENCER — Spencer’s Board of Aldermen Tuesday approved a budget that will raise the town’s tax rate for the first time since 2011.

The property tax rate will go from 62.8 cents to 65.5 cents per $100 of valuation. Total projected revenue for the town’s general fund is $2.77 million, up from $2.6 million for the current fiscal year that ends June 30.

One person spoke during a public hearing on the budget Tuesday. W.F. Owens said he is against the tax increase. He said it hurts poor people in the community and that it discourages businesses and new residents from moving to Spencer. Owens also said he doesn’t think a lot of property owners in the town can afford to pay their taxes, but Town Manager Larry Smith said the town’s tax collection rate is over 95 percent.

The budget ordinance passed 5-0, Alderman Reid Walters was not at the meeting.

The budget includes a 2 percent cost of living adjustment for town employees — which totals $19,500 overall. The budget also includes a $500 annual raise for the six aldermen — they each currently make $2,000 a year for their service. Funding to train a new town clerk is also in the budget. The current clerk, Lisa Perdue, is retiring at the end of the year after a total of nearly 30 years with the town.

Most town departments will see an increase in funding. The Police Department, which has the largest budget at $891,000, will receive the same amount of money as the current fiscal year and the budget includes the replacement of one patrol car. The Fire Department budget will increase by $37,127 and includes four new radios and two new self-contained breathing apparatuses.

The Streets Department will see a decrease in funding, but it’s because the current year’s budget included the purchase of a replacement vehicle.

The Recreation Department will receive grant funds totaling $189,000 from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund matching grant the town was awarded two years ago for the continual development of the Standback Forest.

In other business Tuesday, the board:

• Police Chief Mike James said officers will be working speed enforcement on Charles Street in the coming weeks after receiving complaints of cars speeding on the road, which goes by the elementary and middle schools.

• Adopted a resolution supporting Gov. Pat McCrory’s $3 billion N.C. Connect bond package to fund highway projects and fix up state facilities. The governor wants the package to be on the ballot this fall for voters to decide on. Alderman Jeff Morris voted against the resolution, saying the plan puts the cart before the horse and that it should be held off until the 2016 elections when voter turnout will be higher due to the presidential election.

Contact Reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.