Whiteville taxpayers could see the equivalent of a two cent tax increase under the county’s new plans for collections.
City council on Tuesday will discuss the county’s decision to end the longstanding agreement between municipalities and the county for property tax and fee collections. County commissioners voted to shift from a $3 per parcel flat fee to a four percent fee. The new plan by the county would cost the city roughly $85,000 annually, the equivalent of two cents on the tax rate.
Under the previous agreement, the county collects all fees billed with property taxes, including solid waste fees, recycling and the downtown service district fee.
The county said the increase is needed to cover increasing costs of postage and labor. Town officials have noted that the agreement always had a provision about negotiating increased fees to cover additional costs, but across the board, officials were surprised at the county’s move.
The original agreement gave 180 days for towns to adjust budgets or come up with their own collection methods. City Manager Darren Currie said the commissioners’ decision to approve the change in February does not give most municipalities to adjust their own books, especially during budget season.
Commissioners passed the three percent fee after County Manager Eddie Madden suggested a 2.5 percent charge. Robeson and Bladen counties charge three percent, and commissioners wanted to be in line with other local governments.
City Council will discuss several options Tuesday at its regular meeting.
The board will also examine an underserved communities project to improve sidewalks on the west side of town. The project would connect MLK Drive to J.K. Powell using improved sidewalks in conjunction with the bypass project.
Be the first to comment