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Posted: June 24, 2011

Harnett rejects tax increase, seeks more cuts

Harnett government considers employee furloughs

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Lillington, N.C. — Harnett County commissioners on Thursday bowed to the wishes of voters and decided not to increase property taxes to balance the 2011-12 county budget.

Instead, they told County Manager Scott Sauer to revise his $100 million budget proposal and cut more spending.

Sauer's previous budget called for raising the county property tax rate by 4 cents per $100 valuation. That was after county employees complained about his other proposals. One would have laid off 30 county workers and raised the tax rate by 2 cents, and the other would have included a 5-cent increase to the tax rate and employee furloughs.

The current tax rate is 72.5 cents per $100 of valuation.

Commissioners said additional cuts would likely lead to some layoffs and some reduction in county services.

The new budget must be adopted by next Thursday.

Web Editor: Matthew Burns

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13 Comments

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superman you are correct. IF they cut salary and stop raises, then Harnett co. would be living within it's mean. If the people don't like it, there are plenty of people looking for a job. Actually they should be like most business who are laying off people, they replace them later with less pay and some with more education, It's a buyer market for people right now.

Rebelyell55
June 27, 2011 4:38 p.m.

lawncare5-- guess you dont know about the thousands of people who are out looking for work every day. A day off doesnt hurt nearly as much as no job. Work would be no different than if a person was out sick or out for a vacation day. Are you referring to a one day furlough or a couple weeks? Anything is better than being without a job.

superman
June 27, 2011 10:13 a.m.

Need a 1 cent sales tax increase lawncare5

They tried that at the last election and it was voted down. They tried to stick a gun to the voters heads and told us if it's not passed, they would raise property taxes. It was voted down by the people of Harnett. It was suppose to send a message to the Harnett co. offical to start being repsonsible and quit wasting money. The people of Harnett Co. are tired of given more and more and getting less and less. It time for our elected offical to be responsible and work for the people of Harnett co. instead of thinking we work for them. Any tax added would only allow the abuse to continue.

Rebelyell55
June 24, 2011 7:48 p.m.

A furlough is a nice word for a day off without pay, don't hurt as much to say it. Each department head would have to move people around, and change their priorities. Slower, less response would be the norm. The remaining employees would wear the politically correct smile, yet look for work elsewhere, in a county where the commissioners and county manager are better at planning ahead.

lawncare5
June 24, 2011 7:07 p.m.

Need a 1 cent sales tax increase. Everyone traveling in and thru the county would help, with the money going to the county, both those who live here and those going East West,,,North and South.

lawncare5
June 24, 2011 7:00 p.m.

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