Some in North Beach Urge Council to Trim Property Tax Rate
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Sunday, May 17, 2009
Some North Beach residents have urged the Town Council to reconsider its proposed $2.2 million spending plan for fiscal 2010 and lower the current tax rate of 61 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Homeowners told the council Thursday that they are struggling with increases in their property assessments from previous years and other financial pressures.
"We are about to get hit from every government," resident John Flynn said. "You have a lot of great projects in [the budget], but this isn't the year to implement them."
The council has held several budget work sessions and is leaning toward keeping the 61 cent tax rate, which would produce a $155,000 increase in property tax revenue over last year.
Former mayor Mark Frazier said that since his term ended in 2006, property assessments have risen 55 percent. He also said the town has $3.5 million in its reserve fund.
"With that kind of sound financial footing, how do you plan to spend this $155,000?" Frazier asked Mayor Michael Bojokles.
Bojokles credited Frazier with instituting "conservative" budget practices. He also said that no other taxing jurisdiction in Calvert County, including the county, is lowering property tax rates. North Beach and Chesapeake Beach residents pay municipal as well as county taxes.
A few residents asked the council and town treasurer for more detailed budget information, including a list of salaries for town employees.
"The list goes on and on" of items that the town spends money on without taking a closer look, resident Lisa Goldman said. "Look at what you are spending and why and ask, 'Is this the best use of taxpayer money?' "
The proposed North Beach budget, which represents a nearly 7 percent increase over last year's, includes money for a part-time parking attendant, a sheriff's deputy for the Twin Beaches, no cost-of-living raises for town employees and infrared cameras for the town beach.
Town residents' sewer bills will increase from $164.20 to $221.20 per household in the coming fiscal year. Upgrades to the Twin Beaches' wastewater treatment plant are responsible for the jump in the bills, said Joanne Hunt, the town treasurer. Each household's water bill will decrease from $121.60 to $110.10 at the start of the fiscal year in July, she said.
The town will vote on the budget during a meeting June 4, Bojokles said.
