Union County commissioners and the county’s school system reached a budget compromise Thursday that will mean a 7.4-cent tax increase, about three cents higher than what the county originally approved.
The tax rate for the fiscal 2008 year will be 71.1 cents per $100 valuation, about $1,422 for a home valued at $200,000.
The school system, which had requested a total of $91.9 million from the county, disputed the county’s original budget, which included a $76.9 million appropriation and an understanding that $3.4 million in savings on construction projects could go toward certain building expenses, such as mobile classrooms.
After several days of prolonged closed mediation discussions, the county agreed to increase the amount of money going to the school system by about $5.2 million. Commissioners also agreed to let the school system use an addional $1.6 million in savings on construction projects for capital costs.
The agreement brings the county’s contribution to the school system to $70.9 million for current expense and $16 million for construction-related costs.
From – Charlotte Observer
