Budget deficit may increase property taxes

The City of Wilmington is faced with some difficult decisions about how to correct its budget situation. The city is $6 million over budget due to a mistake New Hanover County made calculating the tax rate.

Suggestions have been made on how to make up the deficit. A proposed 14 percent property tax increase was suggested at Monday night’s council meeting. The city says there’s simply no other choice.

While some homeowners weren’t happy about the idea, Wilmington homeowner Thurman Burgess said, “If I can be assured that this money will be distributed and used equitably among all the citizens of Wilmington, I would gladly pay the 14 percent.”

The average person with a home worth $250,000 would have to pay an additional nine dollars per month. City Council will hold an all-day budget workshop May 20. Members won’t vote on the proposal until next month.