NHC Budget Draft Released

WECT:

Taxes are not expected to increase in New Hanover County, despite the county's tax base being down $1.6 million, according to the county budget proposed Monday.

Instead, the two major talking points during Monday's budget proposal were cuts to the schools and pay raises for county employees.

The proposed budget decreases the funding to county schools by a total of $650,000 in operations and debt services.

For the first time since 2008, employees will get a 1 percent pay raise, thanks to $600,000, while $1 million would be used to end furloughs.

Commissioner Jonathan Barfield wants to increase the school's funding by $600,000 and agrees it's time to take care of the county employees.  Commissioner Brian Berger, on the other hand, wants to defer the raises.