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Cramerton proposes 3-cent tax-rate cut as commissioners debate town support for Confluence
Summary
Town Manager Zach Ollis presented a proposed 2023–24 budget that includes a three-cent reduction in the tax rate and continued town contributions to Confluence; commissioners debated whether Confluence operates as a community space or a business and requested further financial updates.
Town Manager Zach Ollis presented the Town of Cramerton’s proposed 2023–24 budget on May 18, calling for a three-cent decrease in the property tax rate from 0.475 to 0.445 and outlining revenue and expenditure highlights.
The proposed budget also lists a $50,000 contribution to the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation to continue operations support for Confluence, a town-supported facility. Mayor Nelson Wills said he supports Confluence’s goals but questioned taxpayer subsidies for what he described as a venue that “is functioning as a bar.” “It is fundamentally wrong to subsidize a business that competes with the other restaurants and bars in Cramerton,” Wills said, and asked what residents receive in return for town funding.
Commissioner Atkinson agreed the town should receive clearer financial reporting and asked for regular updates on Confluence accounting and profit sharing; Mr. Ollis said staff is arranging for Mr. Searby to brief the board on finances and that the town has received some profits from merchandise and sales. Commissioner Kincaid defended the facility as a community building that hosts classes, Parks and Recreation programming and performances, and said it provides opportunities not widely available elsewhere in the area.
Beyond Confluence, discussion amongst commissioners covered employee compensation adjustments tied to a recent salary study, fund-balance comparisons with Local Government Commission peer groups, and line-item explanations including Powell Bill and stormwater funds. Mr. Ollis confirmed paper copies of the proposed budget were available in Town Hall and would be posted on the town website.
North Carolina law requires municipal budgets to be presented before June 1 and adopted no later than July 1, with a minimum statutory notice period between submission and approval; Mr. Ollis noted the board’s schedule provides 14 days’ notice for the public hearing, exceeding the 10 days required. The board voted to call a public hearing to adopt the budget; a public hearing was scheduled by motion and approved 5-0.
The board thanked Interim Finance Director Sarah Richards for her work preparing the budget. No final adoption occurred at the May 18 meeting; the hearing and subsequent adoption remain scheduled under state timelines.
