Proposed Manteo budget presented to commissioners

Published 9:53 am Tuesday, May 10, 2022

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Manteo commissioners Jason Borland, right, and Sherry Wickstrom, center, hold budget books for fiscal year 2023. Borland announced he will resign after the budget is adopted. He is moving to northern Virginia. Borland and Wickstrom talk with Sarah Benson, left, who organized the town’s litter pickup held April 30. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

Manteo Board of Commissioners saluted Manteo town clerk Jamie Whitley and extended appreciation to her during Professional Municipal Clerks Week, May 1 through May 7, 2022. Whitely stands with Manteo Mayor Bobby Owens after the board meeting May 4. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

A pocket park at the Manteo waterfront is almost completed. The park is lit with solar-powered bollards and at night offers a stunning view of the lighted Elizabeth II. Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

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A proposed fiscal year 2023 budget for the Town of Manteo was presented by town manager Melissa Dickerson to the Board of Commissioners May 4, 2022.

The commissioners set a public hearing on the proposed budget for May 18, 2022 at 5 p.m. at Town Hall.

Total revenue for fiscal year 2023 is estimated at $6,971,497.

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The property tax rate stays the same at $0.3455 cents per $100 valuation of assessed property. This revenue source makes up 33.8% of the revenue stream. Shared revenue totals $1.86 million, representing 26.7% of the revenue.

The budget uses appropriated fund balance totaling $1,758,083 equaling 25% of the budget. Other revenue sources include building permits and fees at $40,500; grants at $210,411; Powell bill funds at $61,161; other revenues a $340,795 and other taxes at $348,383.

At a budget workshop, Manteo’s commissioners detailed initiatives for the next fiscal year. Dickerson cited the following initiatives in her budget presentation:

– Updating the town’s ordinances.

– A cost of living increase for staff.

– Updating playground equipment making areas ADA compliant. A plan for both town playgrounds will be developed and grants pursued.

– Make improvements to Cartwright Park, including possible purchase.

– Address stormwater hotspots.

– Assess Town Hall space needs. The last study was 2012.

– Make improvements to the waterfront.

– Create a statue of Chief Manteo for Town Common.

Staff included the following in the budget:

– Add a position for Public Works.

– Purchase of license for Computer Automated Dispatch required by November for dispatch system.

– Provide training for finance director, accounting technician, planner and building inspector.

– Continue affordable gousing initiative on town-owned property on Sir Walter Raleigh Street.

The Manteo Cemetery budget is $51,450. Revenue sources are sale of lots at $15,000; fees at $2,875; and $33,075 fund balance appropriated for projects.

Revenue for water and sewer is set for $2,751,393. With no increase in fees, the total produced by charges is $2,033,393. Appropriated fund balance is $639,586. A major project that will start fiscal year 2023 is installing ultraviolet light. Construction is scheduled for fiscal year 2024.

Expenditures anticipated for the remainder of this fiscal year or already accomplished are:

– Exit audit due to change in finance directors, $14,000.

– Pay into an employee’s retirement gap, $66,000.

– Build a 12’x12’ storage shed at Public Works to store new stage, $5,500.

– Purchase ride-along sweeper at $20,000. Accomplished.

– Purchase used commercial solid waste truck.

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