Budget decision set

Published 3:14 pm Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The decision to vote on the fiscal year 2019 budget in the Town of Victoria is set to take place during its June meeting, Town Manager Rodney Newton said.

Newton said that no members of the public spoke during the budget hearing, which took place May 8.

“The budget has not changed from what was published,” Newton said regarding if there had been any alterations of the budget.

An item on the budget includes a change in rate for water and sewer, proposed to rise $2 and $3 respectively to offset the cost of the water and sewer repairs the town has undergone in the past year, a news release from the Town of Victoria cited.

For residents and businesses in the town, the minimum charge for water is proposed for $30.50 for 3,000 gallons, up $2 from the previous year’s rate of $28.33 from the 2017 fiscal year budget, according to a news release from the town.

For each 1,000 gallons that exceeds the 3,000-gallon minimum, the rate is proposed to be $5.17 per 1,000 gallons, which remains the same from the previous year. Outside the town, residents and businesses that use the minimum rate for 3,000 gallons may pay $30.50, proposed to be up $2 from the previous year.

For those who use water outside the town that exceeds the minimum gallon amount, the rate will be $5.17 per 1,000 gallons.

The sewer rate for businesses and residents within the town is $18.50 for 3,000 gallons, up $3 from last year’s rate of $15.50.

For sewer used that exceeds the minimum, the rate will be $5.54 per 1,000 gallons, down $1 from the previous year’s rate of $6.54.

A sewer charge of $28.50 will apply for those who only use sewer within the town, which will be an increase of $3.

A sewer charge outside of the town corporate limits for residents and businesses is proposed to be $18.50, up $3 from $15.50 to use 3,000 gallons.

For sewer used in excess of the fixed quantity allowed for the minimum charge, the rate shall be $5.54 per 1,000 gallons used, the release cited.

Outside of town, a sewer charge of $28.50, up $3, is proposed for residents or businesses that only use sewer.

Other items on the proposed 2017-2018 fiscal year budget include proposed revenue of real/personal property taxes at $204,800, sales tax at $32,000, meal tax at $20,625 and law enforcement funds at $42,288. Proposed expenditures include police department allocations at $270,592, fire/rescue at $98,500, police fines at $10,000 and streets/ sidewalks at $54,514.

“The budget will be voted in for approval at the June meeting,” Newton said. The meeting will take place June 12 at 7:30 p.m.