May 9, 2007

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            The budget Town Manager Mark Williams has proposed calls for a 54-cent property tax rate for the fourth year. In June of 2004 the town board approved that 54-cent rate to give the Wake Forest Fire Department all the 10 cents of the tax rate then-Chief Jimmy Keith had been requesting for three years.

            At the current tax base of $2.1 billion, the fire department will receive $2.1 million, but new Fire Chief Jerry Swift is asking that the town fund the department at $2.9 million. That would cover the costs of 21 new positions and pay for a $600,000 pumper/ladder truck for the planned Forestville Road fire station.

            Williams also has not included the $4.3 million in capital expenses – land, fire station construction and equipment – Swift says the department will need in the next three years.

            When he presented the town budget to the town board last week, Williams said the tax rate would have to rise by 4 cents to pay for the $2.9 million operating budget, and it would take 8 cents of the tax rate to pay for the capital expenses.

            Williams said the Forestville Road station will be right across the street from the Rolesville fire district and closer than Rolesville’s station. He is proposing Wake Forest work with the county and other towns to decide where to build and who will pay for fire stations.

            This week Swift will be supported by a number of residents from Waterfall and other county-zoning subdivisions along Thompson Mill Road and nearby when he goes before the Wake County Fire Commission to request money for a 3,000-gallon pumper/tanker.

            With three devastating home fires in five years, the homeowners in those subdivisions are well aware of the fire danger and the limitations of the response from the Wake Forest and Stony Hill fire departments because of a lack of hydrants. The large capacity pumper/tanker would maximize the first responders’ ability to knock down a fire early before it spreads.

            Williams’ budget for fiscal 2007-2008 also keeps the electric rate unchanged for the fifteenth consecutive year. The rate for garbage and recycling collection also remains fixed at $14.60 per month, but he has said a CPI adjustment is possible in September as set out in the contract with Republic.

            The budget calls for adding four police officers and six other new full-time positions.

            The town is also facing the cost of the new town hall, a host of road improvements and the need for park facilities.

            You can see a copy of the budget in Town Clerk Joyce Wilson’s office, MMC, or go to http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/

residents/finance.budget.aspx for Williams’ budget message and budget highlights.

            During the meeting which will begin at 7 p.m. in town hall, the commissioners will set a series of work sessions about the budget, sessions which are also open to the public. The budget must be approved by June 30.