Matthews commissioners debate cuts to avoid 1.3¢ tax increase as bond-funded projects loom

Town Manager Becky Hall and commissioners spent most of a June 2 budget workshop debating whether the town can avoid a proposed 1.3¢ property tax increase tied to bond debt service by trimming operating costs.

The discussion narrowed on parks and recreation spending, the tourism fund’s accounting, subscription-based software and other line items as commissioners pressed for specific cuts that would close a roughly $903,000 gap without raising property taxes.

Why it matters: The board previously authorized pursuing bonds voters approved; commissioners said the resulting debt service is the primary driver of the tax increase under consideration. That has generated sustained debate about whether the town should reduce current services to avoid raising the tax rate and how much control the town has over certain revenue and expense flows.

"Do we have the will and the want to pass a budget without a tax increase?" Commissioner Leon Threatt asked, summing up the debate and urging colleagues to look for cuts. "Because I believe the how will quickly come when we have the will to do so."

Town Manager Becky Hall and finance staff walked the board through a small, corrected bookkeeping change of $79 that moved amounts between the general fund and the tourism fund but did not affect the town’s overall budget. Hall also explained how the tourism fund operates separately from the general fund and said trimming tourism-funded events would not reduce the town’s property tax rate. "So in no scenario... that number is always 0 because it's its own little fund that lives on its own…