Waynesville property owners may face a 3.8-cent tax increase if the proposed budget is approved. The budget, presented by Town Manager Rob Hites, aims to balance tax hikes and budget cuts, generating an additional $625,000 for four new firefighters, higher starting salaries for new police officers, and employee raises.
A public hearing is set for June 11, with the budget needing adoption by July 1. Council members Anthony Sutton and Jon Feichter are considering raising police starting pay to $48,000. Council member Julia Freeman opposes the 3.8-cent hike, preferring a 2.5-cent increase, while Chuck Dickson has opposed any tax increase.
The proposed tax rate is 47.7 cents per $100 in valuation, increasing the budget to $19.04 million, a 9% rise. It also includes a 7% increase in electric rates to fund $1 million in capital projects.
