May 2. As expected, Cornelius Town Manager Anthony Roberts’ proposed 2017-2018 town budget freezes town property taxes at the current tax rate of 25.5 cents/$100 assessed tax value. The $22.5 million spending plan will be the subject of a public hearing May 15.

Roberts’ budget reflects an increase of 2 percent in sales and franchise tax revenue, as well as a 1.5 percent increase in the town’s assessed value. It would keep 1.5 cents of the tax rate dedicated to transportation capital costs.

The budget proposal was immediately challenged by Commissioner Dave Gilroy, who took exception to an increase in personnel spending. “We’re watching governmental costs increasing at an unsustainable level,” he said. Commissioner Gilroy offered two motions which would have required Roberts to do separate budgets with lower spending increases but both were defeated by a 3-2 vote, with Commissioner Mike Miltich the only commissioner joining Gilroy in requesting the different plans.

If the budget proposal is approved, the town’s share of  taxes on a $250,000 house would remain at about $637 a year. Residents also pay county property taxes on top of local town taxes, which support county services such as parks like Jetton Park and Ramsey Creek Park as well as education and social services.