Commissioners split on using surplus to roll back taxes amid big projects

Commissioner Titicus argued the town's budget is conservative and that a portion of an estimated $405,000 surplus should be used now to reduce property taxes. "If you take where we're anticipating coming in on the revenue and the operating expenses, we will have a surplus this year of roughly about $405,000. What I'm suggesting is that we take 0.5 of that surplus and we apply it to, a millage reduction," he said.

Other commissioners cautioned that large capital projects — notably a multiyear road raising and flood mitigation effort — and the uncertain results of Amendment 3 at the county level could reduce revenues or create near-term cash-flow pressure. Commissioner Kurzman and Vice Mayor Mayfield said they preferred to complete projects and review the town's financial position afterward before lowering rates. The commission did not adopt a rollback at the tentative stage and left the budget in place for final consideration after required advertising.