The Town of Aberdeen’s budget meeting on May 23 reported a balanced budget with no tax increases for 2022-2023. The $17,048,910 budget includes town operations, capital improvements, and debt service requirements.
Spending habits have returned to normal after the pandemic.
There is a budget increase of $2,001,997 over 2021-2022.
Despite an 8% inflation rate, the town has experienced new housing growth with all-time highs in market pricing.
Property values increased 7% to $1,133,967,000.
Town employees will receive a 6% salary increase and their benefits.
Town Manager Paul Sabiston shared a review of the past year. The town hired three full-time firefighters, nearly completed the addition to fire department station #2, which was funded mostly by UNC Health, completed the new Main Street Park, hired two new employees to help lead the Parks and Recreation Department, and began new planning for expansion of the water/sewer departments, mainly consisting of an added well.
In July, Aberdeen will receive the second payment of $1,272,877 of the $2.54 million allocated in the American Recovery Plan Act funds. The funds are allocated for infrastructure in water/sewer and other general fund areas.
The areas include renovations to the old Aberdeen Elementary School, completing the Sportsplex, and renovating the Wholesale Grocery Building into a library.
The General Fund budget for 2022-2023 for public works, administrative services, police, and fire services is $12,419,559. This fund is generated by taxes. It is $1,500,746 more than 2021-2022.
The town approved a financial guarantee for infrastructure of the development, Aberdeen Place, located at 11220 U.S. Highway 15/501, adjacent parcels and the old McBrayer Chrysler dealership.
The infrastructure includes roads, water, sewer, sidewalks and landscaping at $366,607, which is 1.25 times the estimated cost of material and labor.
The project proposal and discussion began in 2019.
NDB Commercial Real Estate, Inc., from Raleigh, is the developer.
The financial guarantee was needed because the infrastructure cannot be completed right away. The financial guarantee allows the Planning & Inspections Department to issue a Final Plat for the construction to begin.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected]
