3 minute read
Summerfi eld budget shrinks
by CHRIS BURRITT
SUMMERFIELD – The decision by Summerfield Town Council last month to stop development of the new town hall reduced by nearly two thirds the budget proposed for next fiscal year.
Advertisement
The draft spending plan reviewed by the council this past Tuesday, May 31, shrunk to $2.13 million, a drop of $3.76 million from the $5.88 million in the original budget. The drop reflects the council’s decision May 10 to halt plans for the new town hall after construction costs skyrocketed.
The proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 “looks vastly different from the initial draft presented in April, primarily due to a change in direction related to the new town hall project,” Town Manager Scott Whitaker wrote in his budget message to the council.
The council plans to consider adopting the budget during its regular meeting June 14. It held the special called meeting earlier this week to get its first look at the budget draft.
Whitaker recommended leaving the property tax rate unchanged at 2.75 cents per $100 of property valuation, despite a 12.7% increase in the value of property in Summerfield due to Guilford County’s reappraisal of property earlier this year. The reassessment boosted property values within the town to $1.84 billion.
For the first time in several years, the proposed budget doesn’t tap Summerfield’s reserves to cover costs for capital projects. Instead, the town plans to draw $586,487 from its $1.34 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to balance the budget.
“Summerfield has no outstanding debt and has a history of turning to reserves to fund large, one-time needs and balance the budget,” Whitaker wrote in the budget message.
Capital projects are estimated to cost $476,500 next year. Two expenses – $130,000 for development of the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway (South) and $100,000 for a dog park – account for nearly half of capital expenditures.
Whitaker projected that Summerfield will end the current fiscal year with a fund balance “well in excess” of $7 million. That compares to $6.96 million as of June 30, 2021.
Whitaker cited rising inflation in proposing an increase of as much as 7.5% in cost-of-living adjustments and merit pay raises for town staff. The budget also proposes the addition of a full-time employee to assist with the management of projects such as development of Bandera Farms Park and other duties.
Citing increasing work demands at Town Hall, Mayor Tim Sessoms said he favors adding a fourth full-time employee to Summerfield’s payroll. The town also has three part-time employees and two seasonal park workers.
“It’s all hands on deck,” Sessoms said. “We’ve gone about as far as we can” with current staffing.
Are your teeth ready for summer picnics? If not, we can help...
Call today to make your appointment! Providing care for adults and children for over 10 years
“This is advanced "Thisisadvanced hearing healthcare HowWeCanHelp hearinghealthcarewith soul and heart!" with soul and heart!” Pediatricandadult audiologicalservices Expertiseonalllevelsof hearingtechnologyand assistivedevices SpecialityinCochlear Implantevaluations, deviceselection,and programming Tinnitusassessmentsand individualizedcounseling Earwaxremoval
"Thisisadvanced HowWeCanHelp hearinghealthcarewith soulandheart!" Pediatricandadult audiologicalservices "Thisisadvanced How We Can Help Expertiseonalllevelsofhearinghealthcarewith soulandheart!" Pediatric and adult audiological services hearingtechnologyand assistivedevices Expertise on all levels of hearing technology and assistive devices SpecialityinCochlear Implantevaluations, Specialty in Cochlear Implant evaluations, deviceselection,and programming device selection, and programming Tinnitusassessmentsand Tinnitus assessments and individualized counseling individualizedcounseling Earwax removal Earwaxremoval
Healthy Smiles. Happy Patients.
Learn more about our care at Summer�ieldDentist.com
Now in TWO LOCATIONS Main Of�ice : 6161-A Lake Brandt Rd. | 336.643.1440 NEW Of�ice (next to CVS): 7092 Summer�ield Rd., Ste C | 336.441.8055
The Most Trusted Hearing Care ExpertsinthePiedmontTriadArea (336)295-1867 529CollegeRoad,SuiteB,Greenboro,NC27410 www.aimhearing.com
Hearingaidrepairs The most trusted hearing care experts in the Piedmont Triad area (336) 295-1867
529CollegeRoad,SuiteB,Greenboro,NC27410 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 www.aimhearing.com
529 College Road, Suite B, Greensboro www.aimhearing.com
