(5/12) At the May 11 town meeting, Walkersville commissioners voted to introduce two ordinances to the town: the general fund budget (Ordinance 2022-02) and the water fund budget (Ordinance 2022-03). As no comments were made during the public hearing period, both budgets were approved unanimously by the commissioners present at the May 25 meeting.
The general fund budget calls for revenues of $6,311,244 with $2,000,000 coming from the town surplus. Real estate taxes account for approximately $1,038,606 of the budget without any increase in rate.
"We’re blessed that we do have reserves in the millions, which is why we’re able to keep the tax rate low," said Burgess Chad Weddle.
Commissioners discussed adding to the budget $2,000 for a drug program for various schools as well as $3,000 for historical commission signs. The signs will designate historical structures around town with information about the various buildings.
Expenditure for capital projects (which include general construction, maintenance, and repair) is approximately $2,556,000. Some projects of note are town hall renovations, a road and sidewalk study, and road reconstruction on Maryland and Maple Avenues. While these capital projects may not be completed immediately, it is essential that funds are set aside beforehand.
"I think the citizens will be pleased with [the budget]. We maintain taxes the way we had them, we operate recurring expenses at a surplus, which we’re putting into the town along with additional money out of our surplus," Commissioner Mike McNiesh said at the May 11 meeting.
The town has been using the American Rescue Fund to create a surplus in the water fund budget to cover larger projects that would usually be covered by an increase in water rates, according to Burgess Chad Weddle. The Town decided to use the American Rescue Funds for the water fund budget rather than the general budget to keep water rates as is.
The total revenue to use for the water fund budget is approximately $1,583,900, with expenditure at approximately $1,521,518. Because of federal funding, this leaves the Walkersville water fund budget with a surplus rather than a loss.
The town’s positive financial state allows Walkersville to make long overdue updates to the water system, including new remote read water meters, updated computers at the water plant, and a new chlorine analyzer.
In addition, Burgess Chad Weddle stated that in the future the town hopes to shift to quarterly water billing, as well as an online payment system, to ease financial burdens for residents.
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