By Chris Cowperthwaite, NBC17
After a whirlwind week of number crunching, Morrisville's Board of Commissioners passed their Fiscal Year 2009 budget Thursday.
This just a couple days after the board disapproved the original proposal, which would have meant a 19 percent tax hike.
The final budget came in at 36.65 cents per $100 of property value, which is actually under the "revenue neutral" line.
The original proposal prompted a late, but effective, outcry from more than 200 Morrisville residents who crammed the boardroom during last week's final public hearing.
"Morrisville's in good shape," said Morrisville resident Jackie Holcombe, who led the community effort to get the budget cuts. "It's a really good day for the residents. Their activism is what led to this change -- from us potentially having the biggest tax increase in the Triangle to having a very competitive tax rate."
The new budget managed to keep a lot of town services in tact without forcing any layoffs.
Board members were even able to keep the cost of living adjustment for town employees at 3 percent and protect a $175,000 pool of merit bonus money.
Town staff members worked at a breakneck pace to get the new numbers prepared in time.
"They did an excellent job. Everybody stuck together. Everyone was willing to sacrifice across the board," said Town Manager John Whitson. "We're going to try to provide the best service we can with whatever money you appropriate to us."
The town is holding off on buying a new fire truck that would have cost more than half a million dollars, but they are going ahead with construction for a new headquarters for the Fire Department.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Budget Still Not Finalized
By Chris Cowperthwaite, NBC-17 News
The Morrisville Board of Commissioners hasn't settled on a new budget -- but they're getting close.
Board members will continue their meeting to Thursday night (6/26), after a marathon session lasting almost five and a half hours Wednesday.
Some commissioners were ready to vote just before midnight, but the board opted to sleep on it.
"As it stands right now, no employees will be losing their job," said Town Manager John Whitson. "And we came up with a plan that the board was able to work with, and put some things back that staff had initially removed from the budget. And it looks like one that will not deter services significantly."
Earlier this week, commissioners disapproved the proposed budget, which would have meant a 19 percent property tax hike for Morrisville residents.
More than 200 people turned out to protest that proposal during the town's final public hearing last week, and that outcry forced the commissioners to rethink their plans.
Now, the board is close to agreeing on a budget that's almost exactly "revenue neutral."
A lot of the burden of the budget cuts will fall on town employees: cost of living adjustments are likely being slashed, and commissioners are planning on freezing merit pay.
The town will probably hold off on buying a new fire truck, but will begin building a new headquarters for the fire department.
Town events like Day at the Park appear to be off the hook, as well, although they may be scaled back.
The board has got to make a decision quickly, because state regulations require a finalized budget by Monday, June 30.
They'll meet again at Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.
The Morrisville Board of Commissioners hasn't settled on a new budget -- but they're getting close.
Board members will continue their meeting to Thursday night (6/26), after a marathon session lasting almost five and a half hours Wednesday.
Some commissioners were ready to vote just before midnight, but the board opted to sleep on it.
"As it stands right now, no employees will be losing their job," said Town Manager John Whitson. "And we came up with a plan that the board was able to work with, and put some things back that staff had initially removed from the budget. And it looks like one that will not deter services significantly."
Earlier this week, commissioners disapproved the proposed budget, which would have meant a 19 percent property tax hike for Morrisville residents.
More than 200 people turned out to protest that proposal during the town's final public hearing last week, and that outcry forced the commissioners to rethink their plans.
Now, the board is close to agreeing on a budget that's almost exactly "revenue neutral."
A lot of the burden of the budget cuts will fall on town employees: cost of living adjustments are likely being slashed, and commissioners are planning on freezing merit pay.
The town will probably hold off on buying a new fire truck, but will begin building a new headquarters for the fire department.
Town events like Day at the Park appear to be off the hook, as well, although they may be scaled back.
The board has got to make a decision quickly, because state regulations require a finalized budget by Monday, June 30.
They'll meet again at Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.
Monday, June 16, 2008
An Open Letter to the Morrisville Board of Commissioners:
Re: Unconscionable Tax Increase
Not every Morrisville resident is in as good a financial situation that you and some of us may be. Although you personally may not be experiencing it, our economy is in major economic recession. Gasoline, food, cost health insurance have reached historically high levels. New employment opportunities are scarce; current job security is weak. Despite the recent unrealistic re-evaluations by Wake County, home values are lowering. "For Sale" signs on properties are abundant. Many seeking to remain in their homes will face considerable difficulty paying the taxes on it. In all, a considerable number of your constituents are being forced to drastically limit essential purchases and curtail family activities. Retail sales are at record lows. What are you planning to do to assist citizens in this current economic climate? It's unconscionable, but the Board will raise Morrisville's property taxes 19% above "revenue neutral." More than any other municipal government in the area!
You can't seriously state that purchasing property for no immediate use or establishing television broadcasts of your Board meetings are "essential.” And who else is currently getting a 4.4% "across-the-board" Cost of Living salary increase in addition to 4% average merit increase? If any salary increase at all, most citizens are lucky to get a 1 to 2% total annual raise. We have excellent response and service with the existing Fire Station # 1. I am certain it can continue without any curtailment of service for another few years. Also, didn't we already have a bond issue for a new fire station a few years ago? To respond with the argument that "we set the tax rate higher now, so we don't have to raise it later" is unconscionable!
As you know, Morrisville property mix is approximately 57% residential and 43% Commercial and compared to Cary's 74%/26% distribution (residential/commercial). Morrisville taxes for the same property, and for all practical purposes, the same services will be 33% higher than Cary. Yet we are told we need MORE commercial and mixed use development to increase Town revenue.
WITHOUT Public Hearings, the 44 cents per $100 tax rate (19% above the revenue neutral rate) was first discussed at the January Board retreat and approved as part of the 2008-2009 Long Range Financial Plan at the 4/22 Board meeting. At this point, the rate was basically "set in concrete." For the actual budget approval, one Public Hearing was held at the 5/27 Board meeting. While the public hearing for other items (district-at-large voting) will be continued at the 6/24 Business Meeting, it has been cut off for the Budget. Public notice of the tax increase has been kept "under the radar." While the Town may have met the minimum legal requirements of public notice, it is questioned whether it fulfilled the spirit of good government. There was NO mention of the new budget, tax increase or public hearing in the one Town publication that all residents receive and most read -- the Morrisville Connection. The majority of residents will only become of aware of the increase when they receive their tax bills!
You were elected to represent YOUR constituents, the residents of Morrisville. Your major responsibly is to be an ADVOCATE for the citizens. Approving this tax increase for Morrisville voters is unconscionable!
Re: Unconscionable Tax Increase
Not every Morrisville resident is in as good a financial situation that you and some of us may be. Although you personally may not be experiencing it, our economy is in major economic recession. Gasoline, food, cost health insurance have reached historically high levels. New employment opportunities are scarce; current job security is weak. Despite the recent unrealistic re-evaluations by Wake County, home values are lowering. "For Sale" signs on properties are abundant. Many seeking to remain in their homes will face considerable difficulty paying the taxes on it. In all, a considerable number of your constituents are being forced to drastically limit essential purchases and curtail family activities. Retail sales are at record lows. What are you planning to do to assist citizens in this current economic climate? It's unconscionable, but the Board will raise Morrisville's property taxes 19% above "revenue neutral." More than any other municipal government in the area!
You can't seriously state that purchasing property for no immediate use or establishing television broadcasts of your Board meetings are "essential.” And who else is currently getting a 4.4% "across-the-board" Cost of Living salary increase in addition to 4% average merit increase? If any salary increase at all, most citizens are lucky to get a 1 to 2% total annual raise. We have excellent response and service with the existing Fire Station # 1. I am certain it can continue without any curtailment of service for another few years. Also, didn't we already have a bond issue for a new fire station a few years ago? To respond with the argument that "we set the tax rate higher now, so we don't have to raise it later" is unconscionable!
As you know, Morrisville property mix is approximately 57% residential and 43% Commercial and compared to Cary's 74%/26% distribution (residential/commercial). Morrisville taxes for the same property, and for all practical purposes, the same services will be 33% higher than Cary. Yet we are told we need MORE commercial and mixed use development to increase Town revenue.
WITHOUT Public Hearings, the 44 cents per $100 tax rate (19% above the revenue neutral rate) was first discussed at the January Board retreat and approved as part of the 2008-2009 Long Range Financial Plan at the 4/22 Board meeting. At this point, the rate was basically "set in concrete." For the actual budget approval, one Public Hearing was held at the 5/27 Board meeting. While the public hearing for other items (district-at-large voting) will be continued at the 6/24 Business Meeting, it has been cut off for the Budget. Public notice of the tax increase has been kept "under the radar." While the Town may have met the minimum legal requirements of public notice, it is questioned whether it fulfilled the spirit of good government. There was NO mention of the new budget, tax increase or public hearing in the one Town publication that all residents receive and most read -- the Morrisville Connection. The majority of residents will only become of aware of the increase when they receive their tax bills!
You were elected to represent YOUR constituents, the residents of Morrisville. Your major responsibly is to be an ADVOCATE for the citizens. Approving this tax increase for Morrisville voters is unconscionable!
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