New Stokes county budget calls for four-cent tax increase; county workers could be laid off

(By Leslie Bray, The Stokes News) - “Survival during difficult economic times.” When Interim County Manager Rick Morris announced this as the theme for the Stokes County Fiscal Year (FY) 2011-12 budget-making process, he wasn’t kidding.

Due to lower county revenues, the upcoming cessation of state Hold Harmless funds, increased expenses and the general economic slump, the proposed budget for next FY is a tight one. It includes the layoff of some county employees and a four-cent ad valorem tax increase, as well as a reduction in some county services.

Morris presented his proposed budget to the Stokes County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting on Monday, May 23, at 6 p.m. He stated: “This is a conservative, low-risk budget recommendation that is designed to re-baseline the county’s operations costs during 2011 and 2012.”