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By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record

Budgets for next year proposed by Davie County and the three towns in the county do not include a property tax increases.
But since it is a revaluation year, taxpayers may see an increase in their bill, even in Davie County where the proposed tax rate would go down, from $.733 per $100 valuation of property to $.64. Basically, if the value of your property went up, so will your tax bill.
In Davie County, the revaluation would increase property taxes going to the county an additional $8.5 million.
All employees would receive a 3% pay increase, with more for “high performing” employees.
Departments in the county requested a total of 38 new, full-time employees. County Manager Brian Barnett’s proposed budget recommends that five be funded: an IT security analyst technician; and four sheriff’s deputies. In total, it would bring the number of full-time county employees to 425, with 139 part-timers on staff.
Water rates will increase approximately 4%.
“It will always be my desire to provide strong, stable leadership and to take a fiscally conservative approach to maintaining and improving the quality of life for our citizens, Barnett said.
Copies of the proposed budget are available at the county manager’s office or on the county website. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2.
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Cooleemee’s tax rate would remain at .42 cents per $100 value of property.
Among the highlights are a continued support for law enforcement coverage from the Davie County Sheriff’s Office, continue code enforcement work, expand recreation opportunities and to continue with essential services such as garbage collection and street lights.
“The budget … represents the commitment of the town to provide the citizens with the services necessary to maintain a safe, friendly and community-oriented atmosphere in a time of economic struggle,” said Town Clerk Stephen Corriher. “The town will continue to move forward addressing the needs and desires of citizens in the most efficient and effective manner possible, with a project increase in revenues of approximately $60,000.”
Copies are available for review at town hall. A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, June 16.