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No tax increase proposed in Webster

By Rose Hooper
Town of Webster board members are proposing a balanced budget of $12,755 for fiscal year 2000-01.

The tax rate is proposed to remain at 4 cents per $100 valuation. That means taxes on a $100,000 home would be $40.

Jackson County's revaluation of property resulted in an increase of about $2 million in Webster, said Mayor Steve Gray. With the proposed constant tax rate, the historic town is projecting to bring in an additional $800, he said. State regulations will not permit Webster to decrease its tax rate, as 4 percent is the lowest allowed.

New this year, on the suggestion of board member Jean Davenport, is an escrow account for Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority.

''I don't care if we only put a couple of hundred dollars aside for TWSA, but I want us to do something,'' Davenport told fellow board members. ''If we don't start setting aside some money, it's never going to happen, and we have to start somewhere. We need to be proactive.'' Obtaining water and sewer for the town is on the board's five-year plan and also a goal of the planning board. Board members agreed to allocate $200 from supplies to initiate a TWSA fund. ''It's a small start, but it's a start and I'm happy with that,'' Davenport said.

Webster's estimated income includes ad valorem taxes of $4,800; N.C. franchise tax of $3,500; sales and use tax of $2,100; retail/wholesale tax of $1,125; Cable TV franchise of $950; zoning permits of $150; and intangible taxes of $130.

The town's largest expenses are fire protection at $3,500; an audit estimated to cost $2,500; fees to Nantahala Power and Light (street lights) of $1,200; attorney fees of $610; election fees of $500; another $500 to the Economic Development Commission; office equipment at $600; N.C. League of Municipalities membership, $550; and bonding at a cost of $400.

A budget hearing will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the late Bob Baker's shop near the post office.

The board must use its designated state Powell Bill funds by June 30, 2001. ''It's a use-it-or-loose-it case,'' said Gray. ''If we don't use the funds, they will revert back to the state.''

Currently the board maintains $12,040 in Powell Bill funds, which can only be used for street and sidewalk projects. Earlier, the board had designated the funds to assist 10 families on Briarwood Road with road maintenance.

Davenport indicated that several right-of-way signatures are still lacking, thus holding-up the project. The board agreed to send another letter to the property owners giving them until Oct. 15 to sign right-of-ways. If the necessary signatures are not secured by that date, the board will use the funds for another project, they agreed.

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