DavidsonNews.net

Davidson town board members got their first glimpse of what the fiscal 2007-2008 town budget might look like Tuesday night when Town Manager Leamon Brice presented his preliminary budget.

The headline for property owners is that the $7 million plan would hold spending close to 2007 levels and won’t require a property tax increase.

The budget is not final and is likely to be revised in the coming weeks before it comes up for a public hearing next month.

“The budget seemed a little easier and a little harder this year,” Mr. Brice said Tuesday during the Town Board monthly work session. “It was easy because we had more requests, but harder because we’re short of money.”

HUNTING FOR REVENUE

Mr. Brice said he projects a 5 percent increase in the tax base for 2007-2008, largely because of residential construction and increased home values. But smaller revenue in some other areas and big increases in expenses such as dental and health insurance, forced him to keep spending flat in order to keep the budget balanced and avoid a tax increase.

Davidson could see a jump in tax revenues next year as a rush of new developments, including stores, offices and hotels near Exit 30, begin to come on the tax rolls, he said. But for now, the town must make due with projected revenues of $7.01 million, down slightly from $7.04 million in the current 2006-2007 budget year.

Among other things, Mr. Brice plans to study whether the town can implement new fees that would raise additional money. One idea is a new business privilege license, similar to those in other area towns. Another would be a new $5 automobile tag fee. Both fees could generate up to $30,000 a year in revenue.

The extra money would help pay for items high on town commissioners’ wish lists that didn’t make his preliminary spending plan.

WHAT’S OUT, WHAT’S IN

Mr. Brice told commissioners he sent initial budget requests back to department heads and asked them to cut 10 percent off the top.

Mr. Brice also capped cost-of-living salary increases for town employees at 2 ½ percent, with a 1 percent pool for merit raises. And he deleted several bigger requests, including an additional police officer position, money for traffic calming, a new public works truck, and money to develop a plan for property the town owns on Beaty Street. (See related story)

The preliminary budget includes $100,000 for designing a new town community center, $510,000 for a new fire truck and equipment, $50,000 for landscaping of the Griffith Street roundabouts, and $35,000 to overhaul for the town Web page. The latter would include expanding the range of transactions that residents can complete online instead of coming to town hall, he said. (Fire truck and equipment figure corrected 4/27 -DB)

The budget also fully funds a continuation of the fire department’s recent addition of paid part-time standby personnel.

Mr. Brice also proposes spending money on operating expenses for Bradford Park, which the town will share with Huntersville; and a proposed survey of residents about the town’s services.

The budget will be revised over the next several weeks and will face a public hearing in May. The Town Board will vote on whether to adopt the budget in June, and it would take effect with the start of the fiscal year on July 1.

READ THE DRAFT BUDGET

The preliminary Fiscal 2008 Davidson town budget is available on the town website. CLICK HERE>

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