The Mocksville Town Board will hold a public hearing on its proposed $8.1 million budget on Tuesday, June 24 at 4 p.m. in town hall.
The proposal will keep the current tax rate at 29 cents per $100 of property valuation, but will include increases for water and sewer services.
The minimum in-town rates for water would go from $20 to $24 for the first 3,000 gallons, then from $3.25 to $3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
In-town sewer rates would go from $20 to $26 for the first 3,000 gallons, then from $3.75 to $3.98 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
Rates for out-of-town customers as well as for connection fees would also increase.
Town Manager Christine Bralley said the new rates will keep Mocksville at the state average, and provide money to improve aging infrastructure.
The proposed budget, the largest in Mocksville’s history, comes with less state revenues and incentives for the Gildan project, which should come back to the town within three years.
Bralley credited the town board members and staff for making Mocksville fiscally strong. Board members gave Bralley much of the credit.
“Your concern and many hours of dedication are priceless to the success and best interest of this town,” Bralley said to the board members. “The planning of continued growth and improvements to infrastructure is an attribute to the future of our residents and businesses.”
Board member Rob Taylor called the flat tax rate a “big accomplishment” considering the improvements being made to the town’s infrastructure.
Amy Vaughn-Jones called the budget what the residents “really need.” “It’s an accomplishment for what we were able to pull together.”
Will Marklin said the town would like to fund all wishes, but can’t. He’s proud of the foresite in setting funds aside for a future fire truck purchase.
Johnny Frye, a former county commissioner, thanked Bralley for presenting a budget that is easy to understand.
“Christine makes me uncomfortable,” said board member, Lash Sanford, “when she thanks all of us for the budget. The bulk of the effort came from her.”
Mayor Dr. Francis Slate agreed. “She has always done more … to get the budget just right … as best as it can be for everybody. She has really done a yeoman’s work.”
“It takes all of us working together,” Bralley said.
A detailed copy of the budget is available at town hall for the public to view.