Currituck County’s operating budget would fall to $64.9 million, and maintain the same real estate tax rate of 32 cents per $100
of value under a proposed spending plan for 2012-13.
Public safety, including the Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Medical Service Department, take up $13.5 million of the
expenses. Schools absorb the second-largest amount at $9 million.
Revenues include $25.8 million in property taxes, with 54 percent of that coming from the Outer Banks. Property tax revenues have remained flat for three years, said Sandra Hill, finance director for Currituck County.
Income from occupancy taxes – fees attached to beach rentals and overnight stays- is expected to reach $9.3 million and by law must go toward tourism-related projects, including law enforcement, on the Outer Banks. Currituck’s 32-cent tax rate is
the sixth-lowest of North Carolina’s 100 counties.
Among the largest capital expenses is $2 million for 800MHz public-safety communications system.
The total cost for the system is $4 million, $2 million of which was spent last year. A new aviation education building in Maple to be used by College of the Albemarle will cost $7.3 million. The cost was divided between this tax year and next year.
The budget was approved by the Board of Commissioners on June 4, 2012.
The budget for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, is $65.9 million.
