Wilson's city manager is expected to present a bare-bones budget to the City Council tonight. It will not likely include new parks, a City Hall or money for revitalization efforts.
Manager Grant Goings has promised to present a balanced fiscal 2008-09 budget but without many of the projects council members have requested.
"I'm not expecting any good news," Councilman James Johnson III said. "Common sense tells me that the money is not going to be there."
Not only will the city have to hold off on new capital projects, but the council will also have to decide how the property tax rate will be set.
Normally, the City Council has reduced the property tax rate during a revaluation year. But a recent report to the City Council showed that the city's growth in property values only increased by 20 percent during the past eight years. City leaders expected a 30 percent growth and originally prepared for the additional revenue.
"I think all that (growth) will be eaten up in services we have right now," Johnson said. Many city services are in demand as the city continues to grow in its population base along with new businesses and industries.
Johnson, who advocated for a decrease in the property tax rate during the last revaluation, is not sure if the tax rate will be lowered this time.
"Based on what I've heard, I don't know if it will be possible," Johnson said. "I don't know if we'll have the ability to do that this time."
Councilmen A.P. Coleman and Bill Blackman also think that the tax rate could remain where it is, at 51.5 cents per $100 in property valuation. Blackman said he will not favor any increase in the tax rate. Coleman is also unwilling to increase taxes or fees, unless it is necessary, he said.
"I hope we can do some of the things we've been planning to do," Blackman said. "I don't want to make any comments until I see the budget."
Coleman said the city has wanted to invest in a new recreation center and possibly a swimming pool at the Burt Gillette Athletic Complex but will likely have to wait until city revenues bounce back. He has also wanted the city to provide incentive grants to anyone interested in revitalizing Wilson's older homes.
"As I ride through the city, you see new housing going up and you see the boarded up housing," Coleman said. "We give incentives to businesses and industries. We could give nonprofits incentives that will improve housing that will help people get into home ownership. I just believe that a good housing stock indicates that the community is well off economically."
Coleman expects the budget to hold the line on spending while maintaining current city services.
"It would be irresponsible to make big, elaborate plans knowing you don't have the money," Coleman said.
Councilwoman Gwen Burton said during a recent City Council meeting that she is prepared to wait on some of the city's long-range plans.
"Twelve months is really a very short time," Burton said. "The projects we have on the board are not short-term projects, they're very big and long-range projects. I think we can afford to wait a year to be sure we're making sound financial judgments."
Goings' budget proposal will be presented during the 6 p.m. City Council meeting in City Hall. The council will have until June 30 to adopt the budget, which goes into effect on July 1.
rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818