GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Gaston County commissioners have decided against raising taxes.
Commissioners voted against a proposed eight-cent tax hike during a Thursday night meeting. Had the proposed hike passed, someone with a $150,000 home would be paying more than $100 per year in additional taxes.
Michelle Compeau is one of many people in Gaston County relieved she will not have to pay a higher property tax rate.
When Compeau moved into her house in Gastonia four years ago she had grand plans for renovations, but she lost her job and money got tight.
"I was working two jobs, working 70 hours a week. I'm now making $8.50 an hour which does not cover all of the bills," Compeau said.
She said she pays around $1,200 each year in property taxes and is relieved that number won't be going up.
"Every penny counts when you’re struggling and there are many of us out there who are," she said.
On Thursday night, county commissioners shot down an 8 percent tax hike. The additional revenue would have gone to things like libraries, park upgrades and school facility projects.
Without the increase, the county will have to pull from its reserve account, which currently has about $38 million in it.
"Eventually we'll get to the point where there is no more fund balance," County Manager Jan Winters said.
Winters, who proposed the tax hike, said the reserve is limited and eventually will have to be replenished. He said drawing from the reserve fund now means they will either have to raise taxes down the line or make cuts to county services.
"None of the suggestions are easy, but I think we have to develop a prioritized list and offer suggestions for the commission," Winters said.
He said they will begin looking at alternatives for next year’s budget, but Compeau knows, next year or down the line, she will have to fork out more money.
"There's always going to be increases, so we just hope and pray for a stay of execution for the time being," Compeau said.
Winters said future cuts to county funded project could be in areas like cultural services, libraries and museums, rather than public safety.