By Laura Crosio
As a final step to approve their fiscal year 2015-2016 budget, the Town of Archer Lodge has scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m., Monday, June 8 at town hall, 14094 Buffalo Road.
Property taxes are slated to remain unchanged for the 7th year in a row at $.15 per $100 valuation.
Changes include the addition of a line item dedicating $18,000 to animal control services. As of Jan 1, Johnston County Animal Control had been providing these services to the town. Archer Lodge is currently in negotiations with the Town of Clayton to contract animal control services and officials say an agreement is imminent.
An additional $25,000 has been set aside towards hiring a regular, part-time town administrator with the long-range goal of making this position full-time in the future.
“We are, population wise, one of the largest towns in the state that is still a mayor/council format rather than council/town manager style government,” said Mayor Pro Tem Carlton Vinson. “As we expand our services, we’re going to need somebody who can oversee all of that.”
Funds for recreation services have increased to a proposed $80,000. The town hopes to use monies to acquire additional property and expand their recreational offerings.
