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Town of Dallas proposes $16.43 million budget for 2018–19; no property tax increase, motor vehicle fee to rise
Summary
Town Manager Maria Stroupe presented a draft $16,432,725 budget proposing three full‑time firefighters (SAFER grant applied for), a staggered 2–4% wage increase, no change to the property tax rate, a motor vehicle fee increase from $5 to $10, no water/sewer rate increase, and a $0.25 stormwater fee increase to $3.10 per unit; the budget hearing is set for June 11.
Town Manager Maria Stroupe presented the Town of Dallas’s draft Fiscal Year 2018–19 budget to the Board of Aldermen, proposing a total budget of $16,432,725.
The draft proposes adding three full‑time firefighter positions in the Fire Department; the town has applied for a FEMA SAFER grant to support those hires with the goal of maintaining a combination department of full‑time and volunteer staff. The budget recommends a staggered across‑the‑board salary increase of 2–4% based on years of service.
The draft maintains the current property tax levy at 40 cents per $100 valuation. It proposes raising the motor vehicle fee from $5 to $10 per vehicle. The Water and Sewer Fund proposal includes no rate increases. The Electric Fund shows no requested retail rate increase for customers; the budget notes the town has absorbed multiple wholesale increases in the price it pays Duke Energy since the last retail rate increase in 2012. The Stormwater Fund proposes a $0.25 per‑unit increase, raising the per‑unit charge from $2.85 to $3.10.
Capital and project timing: planned work at Jaggers Park and Cloninger Park was postponed until mid‑year in the upcoming fiscal year, and other items were discussed by the board for clarification. The board set a budget hearing for the June 11 regular meeting; the Town will advertise the public hearing in accordance with statutory requirements.
Procedural notes: the board set the meeting agenda earlier in the session (Alderwoman Thomas moved; Alderman Withers seconded; motion carried unanimously), and the meeting adjourned on a motion by Alderwoman Morrow, seconded by Alderman Cearley.
Next steps: the budget will move to a public hearing on June 11, 2018; final adoption will follow the public hearing and any subsequent board action.
