Proposed city budget would increase water bills, reduce funding for non-profits

Members of the Goldsboro City Council are reviewing City Manager Tim Salmon’s proposed 2020-21 budget this afternoon. We have attached the proposal — all 600-plus pages of it — below so local residents can see exactly where their tax dollars are being spent.

Here are some of the highlights:

• The total budget is $64,393,978

• The plan includes a 25% increase in water and sewer fees.

• Spending on non-profits would decrease 10% due to “funding constraints.”

• Funding would decrease for the following areas: Public Safety, General Government, Culture & Recreational and Transportation.

• Funding would increase for the following areas: Environmental Protection and Economic Development.

• No funding would be provided for the Summer Youth Employment Program as it has been put on hold because of COVID-19.

• The Fire Department has requested $4.1 million for the replacement of Station No. 3, a new fire truck and other equipment. That request was not represented in the spending plan.

• Several vehicle purchases would be made, including 16 for the Goldsboro Police Department.

• The Police Department would also get a new K-9 officer (at an expense of $11,315) to replace K-9 officer “Elvis,” who is retiring.

• New playground equipment would be installed at H.V. Brown or Berkeley Park.

• The city would “provide Cultural Diversity & Sensitivity Training” to all employees.

• The following organizations would get the following amounts:

  • The Chamber of Commerce ($20,000)
  • Wayne County Alliance ($25,000)
  • Literacy Connections ($9,000)
  • Rebuilding Broken Places ($13,500)
  • HGDC Community Crisis Center ($4,500)
  • Boys & Girls Club ($13,500)
  • Arts Council ($22,500)
  • Wayne County Schools ($27,400)
  • WAGES ($18,000)
  • W.A.T.C.H. ($18,000)
  • Wayne County Museum ($13,500)
  • Communities in Schools ($13,500)
  • Mental Health Association ($12,000)
  • Waynesboro Park ($18,000)
  • GATEWAY ($200,000)
  • Mephibosheth Project Inc. ($4,500)
  • WISH ($9,000)

• The following organizations requested money, but are not represented in the budget:

  • Three In One Family Center (Requested $40,000)
  • A Drummers World Drumline Performing Arts School (Requested $2,500)

Here is the full packet:

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