No property tax hike in Montgomery

As published in the Courier-Tribune on May 30, 2014

By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com

TROY — Montgomery County commissioners are proposing no tax increase in the budget for fiscal year 2014-2015.

The rate would remain at 57 cents per $100 of property valuation, which is $570 on a property valued at $100,000.

County Manager Matthew Woodard presented the preliminary budget at the regular meeting on May 20.

In his budget message, Woodard said the General Fund Revenue projections — including the two-cent fire tax and the quarter-cent sales tax currently allocated for the public schools and community college capital funds — is $28,984,953.

Commissioners also heard a budget request of $60,775 from Victoria Whitt, chief executive officer for Sandhills Center, a provider for mental health services for Montgomery County;

Other budget proposals will be discussed at the June 17 public hearing. These include a proposal to give salaried employees of Montgomery County Schools and Montgomery Community College a pay increase, the purchase of two vehicles and several capital improvement projects.

That 6 p.m. hearing will be held in the commissioners meeting room on the third floor of the county administration building, 1102 E. Spring St., Troy.

The proposed budget is online at www.montgomerycountync.com. A copy is also available for the public to review at the county office during regular business hours.

During the May meeting, commissioners approved three budget amendments for the public library, county schools and health department, all of which were year-end changes within their respective budgets and did not require any additional funding from the county.

In other business, commissioners Jim Matheny, Tripp Myrick, Dolan Corbett, Anthony Copeland and Chairman Jackie Morris:

* Approved the appointment of C.D. Crepps as the county finance director. He comes to the job from a similar post in Cleveland County.

* Approved a contract with Martin Starnes and Associates, CPA of Hickory, to audit accounts.

* Approved the holiday schedule for 2015, which will include 12 holidays for employees.

* Gave East Coast Pyrotechnics of Catawba, S.C., approvals for fireworks displays at Troyfest on June 28 and at Woodrun on July 5.

* Heard the annual economic development report from EDC Director Ashley Sherrill Cagle.