Approved Glen Alpine budget keeps property taxes steady

About two minutes is all it took for the Glen Alpine Board of Aldermen to approve the town’s $1.5 million budget Monday morning, a move that will keep residents paying a steady tax rate in the coming year.

Though board members had differing views during budget workshops on whether the town should raise taxes to avoid using reserves, those who opposed an increase from the current 26 cents per $100 of valuation made up the majority.

Of the few comments before the budget’s approval, Alderman Reid Scott said that next year he wants the board to begin budget discussions sooner rather than later. This year, new Mayor Kevin Herron created the draft budget and took it to the board through two budget workshops the same week a draft had to be presented to the board, according to state requirements.

“I’ll make a second (motion) on one condition,” Scott said. “I want us to start earlier next year to have more input into this thing. I still think it’s too fat, but we gotta do something.”

Glen Alpine will have a budget that’s projected to include about $1.3 million in revenues, which is about $239,000 less than what’s needed to cover the town’s $1.5 million in expenditures. The board agreed on tapping into reserves this year to balance the budget.

Included in the budget is a 5% cost-of-living raise for all employees, with an additional 2.5% increase for public works employees, who have passed their probationary period.

Police department funding makes up about 38% of the town’s total budget. The department’s $594,426 will cut one unfilled officer position that Police Chief Kirk Penley said is needed for 24/7 protection. Herron initially proposed cutting two unfilled positions, but the board agreed to leave one and dedicate $2,500 for a Basic Law Enforcement Training candidate.

Penley said he has been struggling to recruit officers because pay is too low and the town does not have a sliding scale for candidates based on their experience or education. He most recently got officer pay raised from $46,000 to $48,000, but said the amount still lags behind other agencies in Burke County.

The town’s public works department funding, at $395,670, includes $15,000 for a new off-road, side-by-side vehicle that board members said is essential for two employees to reduce wear on other vehicles, carry tools and equipment for weed eating, and improve efficiency.

During the town’s initial budget workshop on June 1, Herron said that town staff would look for grant opportunities for the vehicle. He added last week that the purchase won’t be rushed.

“That’s nothing that we’re going to run out and buy,” Herron said.

A hefty amount of the town’s administration budget is a $150,000 Asset Inventory and Assessment grant. The total, at $391,290, includes mayor and aldermen salaries, which will stay at $15,500 combined. The town’s slimmest department is the town’s fire department, at $170,782. The budget includes a new, $39,000 full-time position for a firefighter who will be stationed at town hall.

The current budget year ends on June 30, with the new fiscal year starting on July 1 for all North Carolina local governments.