$506.9 Million Budget Proposed for 2014-2015
City services would remain at the same level and the city property-tax rate would increase one cent to make up for a loss in the tax base resulting from a new state law under the $506.9 million budget that City Manager Lee Garrity has recommended to Mayor Allen Joines and the City Council.
The proposed budget allocates $305.1 million for operations, $35.5 million for debt service and $166.4 million for capital improvements. The property tax rate would be 54 cents for every $100 of value.
The City Council’s Finance Committee will begin reviewing the budget. The council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on the budget on June 16. By state law, the council must adopt a budget for 2014-2015 by June 30. The budget would take effect July 1.
How to participate in the budget process
Copies of the proposed budget will be available for review at public libraries, city recreation centers and City Hall, 101 N. Main St. Suite 30. The proposed budget is also posted online. Citizens can phone in comments about the budget on the city’s Citizen Feedback line, 734-1400 or submit comments through a form on the city website.
Proposed budget information and comment form
Utility Commission Approves Rate Increases
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission approved increases today in water and sewer rates, utility service base charges, and disposal rates at yard waste facilities and the construction and demolition landfill to support its $85.4 million budget for fiscal year 2014-2015. The new rates will take effect Oct. 1.
The commission approved a 4.5 percent increase in water rates and a 6.7 percent increase in sewer rates. Additionally, the monthly base charges for water and sewer service (flat fees charged regardless of usage) would increase $1.24.
With the increases, the monthly bill for the average household in Winston-Salem using 4,500 gallons of water will be $39.44 or $1.30 a day, or 10 cents more a day than the $1.20 that the average household currently pays.
Rate increase information
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