Two-cent tax increase possible for Rockingham County
Voters were asked to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November's ballot, but they voted against it.
After a board meeting on Friday, County Manager
"It would be a two-penny increase on property tax if nothing changes," Metzler said.
That would raise the property tax rate from 69 to
The board, with no residents in attendance, went over the budget, which Metzler announced Wednesday includes a
The budget allows for a
1 percent cost-of-living raise for county employees, an
Currently, the board doesn't plan to change funding levels for
The school district announced Wednesday it expects a
However, there was some good news for the county. Metzler said sales tax revenues have increased after the state allowed the county to tax some services it hasn't been able to tax in the past.
That gave the county an expected
But the budget planning still is preliminary, and Metzler is working on a plan to keep property taxes the same.
"The board is not in favor of a tax increase," said
"I don't have any recommended tax increase," Metzler said. "I just want to stay flat and not do anything."
He isn't worried yet.
"(I'll) work my magic," Metzler said when asked how he'd prevent the increase.
At Friday's meeting, the board also updated its strategic plan. This year, focus turns to five specific areas for improvement: economic development; public safety; citizen engagement and communication; county appearance, including environmental protection; and quality of life.
Metzler plans to work with county staff to come up with ways they can work toward these improvement goals.
The board will reconvene in late February to discuss the staff's ideas.
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