Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Henderson City Council reviews $25M general fund and asks staff for tax-rate impact report
Loading...
Summary
Council and staff reviewed a $25 million General Fund budget, highlighted revenue growth after last year’s tax adjustment, and requested a tax-rate impact report showing how different rates would affect home values and revenue. Departments flagged equipment, staffing, and downtown priorities.
HENDERSON, N.C. — At a May 23 budget work session, the Henderson City Council reviewed the proposed $25,000,000 General Fund and asked staff to produce a tax-rate impact report showing revenue at different millage levels.
Finance Director Joey Fuqua told council members the General Fund covers 24 departments and that non-departmental funds are reserved for contingencies, retiree insurance for those over 65, economic development incentives and technology contingencies. Fuqua noted the city took an “aggressive approach” last year by raising the property tax rate from $0.712 to $0.75 and increasing sanitation fees; projected property tax receipts had been $5.5 million and current assessed values have exceeded $6 million.
City Manager Edward T. Blackmon said the next step after departmental reviews is setting the tax rate and that staff will bring back a report illustrating how various home values would be affected at different tax levels, as requested by Mayor Pro Tem Garry D. Daeke and Councilmember Lamont Noel.
Departments identified several budgetary priorities. Human Resources is proposing new payroll and HR software (Paycor), with $28,000 budgeted for software and $2,600 for hardware; Fuqua attributed much of the department’s 50% budget increase to that initiative. IT staff proposed $87,000 in capital outlay to cover computer parts, cyber protections, storage and an upgrade to a VoIP phone system.
Public Buildings requested $30,000 for perimeter fencing and replacement side doors at City Hall to address security and encroachment concerns. Development Services added a downtown-focused inspector position and $110,000 for demolition work; Director Corey Williams said the city sometimes persuades Vance County to share demolition costs for properties in the extraterritorial jurisdiction but that the interlocal agreement may need updating.
Recreation and Parks requested higher part-time salaries (from $130,000 to $179,000), maintenance funding and a $4,000 fire-alarm upgrade at the Aycock Recreation Center; Fuqua said the department’s costs are split roughly 55% city / 45% county. Fuqua also said the cemetery trust fund balance is between $350,000 and $400,000 and can be used for maintenance or improvements once needs are identified.
With departmental reviews complete, the council asked the City Manager to return to the next budget session with the tax-rate scenarios and other requested comparison data. With no further business the council adjourned unanimously.