Murphy – Cherokee County commissioners honed a proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, increasing fees and approving contributions to a number of local organizations.
The board of commissioners held its final budget workshop on May 23, in which members were polled about their preferences for several budget items that were not in the county manager’s proposed budget.
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The board approved tax increases for two fire districts – a 2.5-cent increase for the Peachtree Fire Department and a 5.5-cent increase for the Wolf Creek (Hot House) Fire Department. Both departments want to build substations in outlying areas and improve their ISO ratings.
The board voted to increase the landfill solid waste fee from $75 to $85 and increase landfill tipping fees from $80 per ton to $90 per ton, with a $4.50 minimum.
County employees will benefit from payroll decisions the board made. The board sidestepped two payroll plans recommended by a consultant and went with a new plan developed by finance director Candy Anderson that was both less costly than the two other options and results better pay plans for county employees.
County employees will see pay bumps of 5 percent in many cases, but no less than 2 percent under the new budget.
The board also voted to increase its $192,645 allocation to Nantahala Regional Library by $25,000 – $12,916 less than what the regional library requested.
The board voted to contribute $5,000 to the Cherokee County Fair in Andrews and to increase its contribution to Logan’s Run Rescue in Murphy by $5,000.
The board approved a $125,000 appropriation to the Town of Andrews for the community center, but rejected a $50,000 capital appropriation, although the board will consider individual projects as they come up. The county provides senior services at the Andrews Community Center.
Final adoption of the 2024-25 budget will take place at the board’s meeting Monday, June 24.
County Manager Randy Wiggins submitted his recommended budget to the board on May 6. In his summary, Wiggins said the proposed budget keeps the property tax millage rate at 61 cents.
Details: Copies of the recommended budget are available for public inspection in the Cherokee County Manager’s Office as well as on Cherokee County’s website at cherokeecounty-nc.gov/186/Annual-Adopted-Budget-Ordinances.