Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/topics/news/wake-co-commissioners/page/10/)
After weeks of debate with County Commissioners, the Wake County Board of Elections Monday approved the creation of the two voting precincts Commissioners are willing to fund. The board agreed to use the given funding to halve two of its biggest precincts — 05-04 in the Cary/Morrisville area and 20-02 in the Cary/Apex area.
Board of Elections members said Monday they might have to “lawyer up” in preparation for a battle with the Wake County Commission over creating new voting precincts. The Wake County Board of Elections agreed Monday to create 12 additional precincts — one week after Wake Commissioners said they would supply funding for only two extra precincts.
Wake County Commissioners approved the $952.1 million budget Monday for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Commissioners also approved the appointment of City Councilor Erv Portman to the District 4 seat vacated by Stan Norwalk.
Wake County Commissioners and school board members played a little power tug-of-war last week over the spending of county dollars in education. Commissioners voted last year to request a “purpose and function” breakdown of the school system’s 2011-12 budget. But when school officials made their formal appropriation request to Commissioners in mid-May, they asked for the budget in a lump sum.
Wake County Commissioners have informally agreed to restore more than $600,000 in cuts in the county manager’s proposed budget. Although more than half that money will be given to non-profits, commissioners say the allocations are a “soft landing” as they wean programs off county funding.
Some implored. Some stated facts and figures. All asked for more money. The Wake County Commission held a public hearing Monday for the proposed 2011-12 budget, which takes effect July 1. In other business, the board voted for new residency districts for the first time in 30 years.
Banners advertising Wake County libraries will soon add a splash of color to the concrete facade of the downtown county parking deck. Wake County Commissioners approved a design Monday for 15 colorful banners, which will be hung on the sides of the parking deck on McDowell and Davie streets.
Wake County’s budget will increase next year — but not by much. Many county departments could see cuts next year in a budget proposal presented Monday. The recommended $951.5 million Fiscal Year 2012 budget is only $300,000 more than this year’s spending plan. The proposal maintains the current property tax rate of 53.4 cents.
During the County Commission’s work session Monday, County Manager David Cooke explained that the county puts in 15.76 cents per dollar of property tax into the debt/capital fund. For the third year in a row, the county borrowed from that pool to put more money into the operating fund.
Wake County is holding up its end of the funding bargain for the Green Square project, agreeing Monday to pay out $2 million during the next several years.
