No property tax increase for Brunswick County

Brunswick County residents were spared a property tax increase. Commissioners voted on the county budget last night.

County Commissioner Bill Sue said in order to keep property taxes from going up, the county had to tighten the belt in other places.

The county won’t be adding any new positions in the coming budget year.

Commissioner Sue said communication programs aimed at informing the public of emergency situations also took a hit. The programs were cut from the new budget.

Two-point-five million dollars set aside last year will carry over, to fund a new senior center.

“We look at priorities. And after all, 37 percent of our total population is seniors. In fact we have more seniors than we do youth and school age. And, we’ve got to look out for their welfare and their needs,” said Sue.

The senior center was supposed to be built in Southport, but because of a conflict with the county’s youth soccer program, commissioners are looking at other possible locations.

Commissioner Sue said much of the budgetary constraints are due to rising gas prices. He said county fuel expenses are up over one million dollars from last year.