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Bethania previews 2025—6 budget with proposed 6-cent tax-rate cut, boosts for invasive-species control and 250th planning
Summary
Bethania's Board of Commissioners reviewed a proposed 2025—6 budget built on a 24¢ per $100 valuation tax rate (a 6¢ decrease) and discussed increasing funding for invasive-species removal, starting a tree-planting program, launching a resident newsletter and allocating funds for the town's 250th celebration.
The Town of Bethania Board of Commissioners reviewed a proposed 2025—6 budget that uses a tax rate of 24 cents per $100 of assessed value, a 6-cent reduction the board said results from a recent reevaluation that increased the town's tax base. Finance Officer Tom Beroth presented the rate and the budget framework during a special meeting on April 28, 2025.
Commissioner Michelle Leonard asked the board to increase the budgeted amount for removing invasive species from $5,000 to $10,000 and noted there is a possibility PLC will match the $5,000 through a grant. Commissioner Johanna Brown suggested starting a tree-planting program as a complementary environmental effort. The board did not take a formal vote on those line items during the session; they were discussed as part of budget preparation.
A resident, Natalie Kelly, proposed a town newsletter to improve communication with residents; Commissioner Kenneth Wolff suggested integrating the newsletter with the town's website to streamline distribution. The board also discussed a Special Events line to cover Bethania's participation in America's 250th celebration in 2026. Commissioner Wolff proposed forming a planning committee this year and partnering with the Bethania Historical Association; Mayor Brent Rockett noted a previous inventory of the association's materials by Paul Locklair and asked that a copy be made available at the Visitor Center.
On capital projects, the board agreed to ask Powell for a revised paving quote that combines work on Jan Hus and Seidel streets. Mayor Rockett said the proposed budget and Budget Message will be sent to residents ahead of a public hearing at the May board meeting, with final adoption planned for the June meeting. He also reminded members that the June 12 meeting falls on Bethania's birthday and suggested providing refreshments.
The board discussed the cancellation of the 2025 Black Walnut Festival and heard that monies originally budgeted for that festival would be repurposed for the town's 250th celebration in 2026. No formal budget adoption occurred at the special meeting; next steps are distribution of the proposed budget to residents, a public hearing in May and final adoption in June.
