CC proposing 4-cent tax hike to fund $21 million budget

A 4-cent real estate tax increase along with a proposed $21 million budget in Charles City is headed to public hearing before the county’s Board of Supervisors.

During their March 23 meeting, board members authorized advertising the proposals in local newspapers. A public hearing on the tax increase is set for April 19, 7 p.m. in the county government building. A hearing on the overall budget follows at 7:30 p.m.

Earlier reports indicated a 3-cent tax hike, but further tweaking of numbers from the county’s recent property reassessment lowered the equalized tax rate from 67 to 66 cents. Thus, county administrator Jack Miniclier is proposing a 4-cent increase to 70 cents per $100 of assessed value. The current rate is 82 cents.

Miniclier said one cent of the increase ($73,000) is to be dedicated to the county’s emergency medical service. The other three cents ($219,000) are to be placed in contingency.

“This is one of the most difficult years we’ve had,” Miniclier said in presenting his proposal to supervisors and the public. He noted declining revenue figures from sales and personal property taxes, landfill host fees, and interest on investments.

The revenue shortfall facing the county is just over $1 million, he said. To make up part of the deficit, he is proposing to dip into the county’s fund balance for $466,199.

Schools and the county were to make up the remaining $560,000 by evenly splitting the figure, but Miniclier said the schools’ amount is now $212,000 after the county elected not to require schools to pay a share of constitutional officer costs not being funded by the state.

Miniclier, meanwhile, said the proposed budget meets the county’s goals of maintaining at least $1.4 million in its fund balance, increasing EMS transport and availability, and maintaining current service levels while not eliminating jobs that are now filled. There are no pay raises proposed.

The overall $21 million budget is almost 4 percent lower than the current year’s $21.9 million figure.

Copies of the budget proposal are available for view at the government building, Heritage Public Library, and on the county’s web site.