ROCKINGHAM — The city tax rate will remain the same for the 13th year in a row, according to City Manager Monty Crump.

Crump presented the city’s budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 at Tuesday night’s council meeting, saying the city would be able to maintain its current level of services without a tax increase.

According to records included in the budget, Rockingham’s ad valorem tax rate has been 0. 48 per $100 since fiscal year 2004-2005. For three years in the late 1980s, it reached 0.64 — the highest mark in the past 35 years.

Crump said there would also be no increases for water and sewer or garbage pickup fees in the coming year. However, there would be a rise in the industrial sewer charge to treat chemical waste.

“It’s a sound budget,” he said.

The budget also includes replacing the roofs of Leath Memorial Library and the Browder Park gym, as well as the installation of permanent bleachers at the gym and playground equipment.

The largest expenditure in public safety is for the purchase of five new patrol vehicles for the Rockingham Police Department at a total of $138,000. Other items listed for the department include nine bullet proof vests, a K-9 and a mobile text extract device.

Budgeted purposes for the Rockingham Fire Department include ladder truck and pumper/tanker truck installment.

The city council will review the budget in more detail during a work session scheduled for May 24 at Hinson Lake. A public hearing on the budget is slated for the council’s next meeting June 14.

Prior to the budget presentation, the council unanimously approved a construction contract to SKC, Inc. for $221,585 to replace and upgrade the School Pump Station near the intersection of U.S. 74 Business and Yates Hill road.

The work includes relocating the station out of the floodplain, Crump said, adding that the council previously approved the purchase of property for the relocation.

According to Crump, the Seagrove-based utility contractor has completed several wastewater and community development block grant projects for the city.

Bids for the project were received April 26, with SKC being the lowest. The second-lowest bid was from Terry’s Plumbing and Utilities, Inc. out of Asheboro. The other two bids, from companies in Fair Bluff, came in at more than $250,000 each.

Prior to adjournment, Mayor Steve Morris issued three proclamations:

• one designating Saturday, May 28 as a local “Day to Honor Our Deceased Veterans;”

• one recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awarness Month; and

• one recognizing May as Older Americans Awareness Month.

William R. Toler | Daily Journal Beth Gorman, of the Richmond County chapter of the Concerned Bikers Association, speaks to the council about planned motorcycle safety programs after Mayor Steve Morris issued a proclamation recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_city_gorman_mtrcyl.jpgWilliam R. Toler | Daily Journal Beth Gorman, of the Richmond County chapter of the Concerned Bikers Association, speaks to the council about planned motorcycle safety programs after Mayor Steve Morris issued a proclamation recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

By William R. Toler

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