Stokes tax rate may stay same in new budget

Winston-Salem Journal
June 8, 2006

DANBURY - Stokes County commissioners are considering a proposed budget that would keep the property-tax rate at 60 cents per $100 valuation.

The proposed $38.9 million budget - a 2 percent decrease from the current fiscal year - would make for a "lean" year, Budget Director Dennis Thompson said in a written budget message to county commissioners. Thompson was contracted to put together the budget while Stokes County continues its search for a new county manager. Thompson is a former manager of Surry County.

One of his major goals in the budget is to improve the county's finances by increasing the fund balance. He is recommending that commissioners reduce some expenditures, including removing department heads' requests for capital equipment and improvements. He also proposes keeping the Stokes County Schools budget at $9.4 million.

A public hearing was held last night. The board of commissioners will meet Tuesday, Wednesday and June 19 and 21 to discuss changes before adopting the budget.