Robbinsville – One local Board of Aldermen unanimously approved its 2021-22 budget last week.
The budget was approved after a public hearing during the Town of Robbinsville’s regular meeting June 2, after first being presented in draft form on May 19. The town’s 2021-22 holiday schedule was approved with the budget.
The approved budget was almost identical to the draft, with the exception of a slight change in funds put toward insurance.
The changes reduced the town’s roads fund to $74,249 in the general fund and increased the water and brought about savings of $63,719 in the town’s water and sewer budget.
“We have to lower the amount we’re going to put in those,” said Finance Officer Sonya Webster.
Some highlights of the budget include $13,986 to address an ongoing drainage issue, $10,000 toward pump repairs and $7,000 to the Nantahala Regional Library. The budget includes an estimated $295,504 in ad valorem taxes.
During public comments, some citizens expressed concerns regarding crime and asked what it would take for the town to fund three deputies for the Graham County Sheriff’s Office in light of recent crimes and the sheriff’s office being stretched thin.
Each deputy would cost $104,000 including salary, equipment and insurance.
“We would have to go up 30 cents on the millage rate to even fit it in,” said Alderman Brian Johnson.
Johnson said he had told Chief Deputy Dennis Crisp that it was likely too late to fit any of the deputies into the town’s budget.
“We’re going to try to give them some money later on,” Johnson said. “It won’t be that much though. The town can’t afford that. I know the taxpayers can’t afford that.”
He also said that rebuilding the town’s police department would cost at least $1 million, also requiring substantial millage increases.
Alderman Debbie Beasley said that although she understood the concerns, it was unlikely that anything could be done for the current budget cycle.
“No one even discussed anything like this with us before we looked into our budget,” Beasley said.
In addition to the budget, the board also unanimously approved the town’s American Rescue plan funds, which are slated to come in two $95,000 installments.
“There’s a certain way that we’ll be able to spend that money that’s regulated by the federal government and the state,” Webster noted.
The American Rescue Plan funds will be administrated separately from the town’s other finances.