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Stokesdale passes another no-tax budget
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Town of Stokesdale is the largest municipality in the state to operate without a property tax, council member proudly notes
by PATTI STOKES
STOKESDALE – After the proposed budget for FY 2022-23 was presented by Town Finance Officer Kim Thacker at Stokesdale Town Council’s June 9 meeting, council member Derek Foy said this was his third experience working on the budget for the town, and probably the most enjoyable one.
In Stokesdale, the Budget & Finance Committee is made up of all five council members and the town’s finance officer.
Projected revenue covers the town’s projected expenses without pulling from the town’s reserves, Foy noted, then highlighted the $50,000 Small Town Development Grant the town will be receiving from the state.
“I’m thrilled to see the town’s financial commitment of over $400,000 in park improvements,” he continued. “That’s likely the largest annual investment the town has made in over two decades. It’s a great follow-up to this year’s investment of $214,000 to purchase 10 acres adjacent to the park. The purchase of the land we bought increased the park by 40%.”
The town also plans to invest $1.1 million in its water system, made possible through a state grant, and more grant funds are in the works.
Even with these commitments to investments, Foy said he is confident that 13 months from now, the town’s financial liquid reserves will be as high as or higher than they currently are.
“I think that’s remarkable,” he said, crediting past and present council members for being fiscally responsible with the town’s money.
Foy then broached the subject of possibly needing to consider hiring a town administrator or manager in the future. In response, Councilman Tim Jones said he favors continuing with a Mayor/Council form of government.
“I’m afraid you would be taking the cork out of the bottle if you go to a town manager form of government,” Jones said. “We’re managing so far and I’m not willing to change anything because of the risks (i.e., the need for a tax) down the road,” he said.
Councilman Jim Rigsbee encouraged citizens to communicate about what they would like to see in the $412,737 in capital outlays for park improvements the town has included in next fiscal year’s budget.
The council unanimously approved the budget as it was presented.
Summerfi eld seeks to replace John O’Day
The deadline for those interested in applying for the vacant council seat is Friday, June 17
SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield residents interested in replacing John O’Day on the Town Council have until 4:30 p.m. this Friday, June 17, to submit their names to Town Hall.
The Town Council established the process for replacing O’Day during its meeting this past Tuesday. It assigned Mayor Tim Sessoms and Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney the task of talking to the candidates and preparing reports about them for other council members.
The council may vote to replace O’Day during its meeting Aug. 9. Earlier this week, the council decided to cancel its monthly meeting scheduled for July 12 and delay handling of town business until the August meeting.
O’Day submitted his resignation to the council May 4 after he and his wife, Kelly, sold their Summerfield home and bought a horse farm in High Point.
O’Day lived in Summerfield for 11 years and served on the council for 6 ½ years.
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