Webster Board to present balanced budget of $16,359

By Rose Hooper

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at the Baker shop near the Webster Post Office. A copy of the budget is on display at the Webster Post Office kiosk.

Anticipated income for the town includes ad valorem taxes of $8,389; cable TV franchise, $1,030; intangible taxes, $112; N.C. franchise tax, $4,580; sales and use tax, $1,619; property, manufacturing, retail, wholesale taxes, $570; food tax, $9.

Estimated expenses include fire protection of $3,500; election fees, $2,752; audit, $2,800; street lights, $1,200; Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority fund, $1,241; attorney fees, $610; bonding, $400; EDC, $500; Institute of Government membership dues, $100; N.C. League of Municipalities membership, $550; Greenway task force, $300; office equipment, $600; Post Office box rent, $45; Rescue Squad, $300; stamps, $1161; supplies, $600; travel, $200; workshops, $100; undesignated, $441.

The board held a first reading of the budget at its June 14 meeting, followed by a public hearing. Also at the meeting, member Raymond Ledford read a letter he drafted to Webster Postmaster Mark Jamison requesting that Webster rural mail delivery have a Webster address, not Sylva. "Webster wants to maintain its identity," the letter stressed.

J.C. Alexander, Webster's representative to the TWSA board, submitted his formal letter of resignation, effective June 30. His family is moving to the eastern part of the state, Mayor Steve Gray reported as he asked the board to prepare a slate of potential replacements. The board agreed to consider candidates with building and financial knowledge.

Gray also reported that he has contacted two companies specializing in repairing and replacing the existing sidewalk. This work needs to be done before the new sidewalk is built, said Gray, who selected Carl Buchanan and Sons of Whittier with a low bid of $5,280, for the project.

Webster will use Powell Bill funds for the new sidewalk project. According to restrictions, the sidewalk cannot extend past municipal limits, the mayor said.

A special called meeting for the purpose of adopting an annexation ordinance will be held at 7 p.m., following the budget hearing, June 28.

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