Siler City approves budget for 2022-23 fiscal year

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SILER CITY — Siler City Commissioners unanimously approved the town’s $19.2 million budget for fiscal 2022-23 Monday after a brief public hearing.

The budget includes a $9.6 million general fund allocation — an almost 12% increase from last year — along with almost $9 million reserved for water and sewage work and nearly half a million dollars for street repairs across town.

The proposed tax rate for this year’s budget is set to remain unchanged from last year’s $0.54 per $100 of valuation. Property valuation throughout the town increased by 1.9%, from $571.7 million to $582.8 million.

Interim Town Manager Bill Zell presented the budget to commissioners, which goes in force on July 1.

“I believe this budget will allow each department to do their job at a level that you, the board of commissioners, and our citizens have come to expect of them,” Zell said.

Other business:

• Hank Raper was sworn into his new position as Siler City’s new town manager on Monday evening. He said he was excited to get to work at his new job and work with Siler City staff and residents.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity,” Raper said. “It’s a privilege to be town manager for the town of Siler City, and I’ve been looking forward to it for the last several weeks.

His first day was Monday; the town will host a meet and greet event with Raper from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 23, at Cowboy Cafe.

• Commissioners honored Tony Siler for his time as a town commissioner serving Siler City’s District 1. He served in the role for almost 20 years and is not seeking reelection this year.

“We’re honoring someone who has been a friend of mine for a long time,” Mayor Pro Tem Chip Price said. “He has dedicated himself to being on the board and working for all of the good for the people.”

A reception was held in his honor after Monday’s meeting.

Reporter Taylor Heeden can be reached at theeden@chathamnr.com or on Twitter at @HeedenTaylor.