Shallotte aldermen discussing 2009 budget

SHALLOTTE—Aldermen are discussing a possible budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 that would hold the tax rate at 27 cents per $100 valuation of property.

The proposed budget includes slightly less revenue than the current year, but still in the neighborhood of $4.1 million, while expenditures are expected to increase nearly 2 percent.

The board met last Wednesday to discuss the proposal and was scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. May 28 for another budget session.

Town administrator Paul Sabiston’s budget proposal includes $202,312 for the governing body, up 5.72 percent; $648,543 for administration, up 22.24 percent; $127,827 for the planning department, up 16.96 percent; $71,457 for the fire marshal, up 18.77 percent, and $1.22 million for the police department, down 25.16 percent due to a decrease in one-time purchases.

The police department’s operating budget (ongoing expenses) will increase, from $952,886 to $1.13 million.

Nothing is budgeted for the Shallotte Regional Fire Training Center.

The proposed street department budget is up 5.29 percent, from $478,656 to $505,381, and the proposed budget for the Sunnyside School restoration is up 1.87 percent from $33,465 to $41,000.

SARAH SHEW WILSON is a staff writer at the Beacon. Reach her at 754-6890 or at swilson@brunswickbeacon.com