The Town Board on Monday will hold a public hearing on Town Manager Anthony Roberts’ recommended $19.4 million budget for FY 2013. During the hearing, citizens who sign up will be invited to share their thoughts about the budget. After the hearing, board members will have the option to vote on the budget that night, or to continue discussion and vote at the next board meeting. Also Monday, the board will continue its public hearing on the proposed pedestrian plan, and will revisit plans for a “landmark” bridge design in the future Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-77 and Catawba Avenue.

BUDGET HEARING

Mr. Roberts’ recommended $19.4 million budget for 2012-13 is $1.4 million more than last year, with extra spending on road improvements, sidewalks and other major projects. Also, he is recommending a one-cent cut in the property tax rate. If approved, it would be the second cut in two years, after last year’s 2.5-cent reduction.

Mr. Roberts said in his report that the tax cut and extra spending are possible because of higher than expected property values in the 2011 county revaluation. The budget also appropriates just over $1 million from the town’s fund-balance, or savings, to help pay for projects.

The budget also calls for increased contributions to the fire department, increased garbage service costs, and design costs for the Diverging Diamond Interchange over I-77, among other items.

Overall, the budget is little changed from the plan commissioners have been discussing since the board retreat in March. It includes:

Click the image to download a copy of the 2012-13 budget

Operational expenses-

• A 2.5 percent merit increase for employees, plus $17,000 (about .5 percent) for bonuses
• $100,000 for an Economic Development coordinator position, which includes salary and benefits
• $135,000 increased contribution to the volunteer fire department to supplement reductions in county funding
• $40,000 to update the parks master plan
• $94,000 in increased garbage costs

Capital expenditures –

• $800,000 for the new phase of Robbins Park
• $735,000 for the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway
• $395,000 for sidewalk connectors and extensions
• $450,000 for street resurfacing
• $300,000 for DDI design costs
• $50,000 for improvements to the Westmoreland Road intersection
• $300,000 for a Northcross Drive extension
• $320,000 for new police vehicles and camera equipment
• $100,000 for a new street sweeper

The full budget document is available online. Click here to view it.

Town Board meetings are open to the public, and begin at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.

Prior to the regular meeting, board members will beet in Room 204 for a pre-meeting, during which they plan to discuss the budget. The pre-meeting is also open to the public.