There’ll be no hike in Pembroke city taxes as council members voted Monday to adopt last year’s millage rate of 10.2 mills, the maximum allowed by the city’s charter.
The move comes as the city continues to put together its 2014 budget, which carries an operating fund of about $1.8 million, according to City Clerk Betty Hill. The current rate will generate $404,704 in revenue, she said, meaning revenue from property taxes provides only about a third of the city’s budget.
Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell said finding money to take care of residents’ needs hasn’t been easy.
“Due to the large number of tax-exempt parcels within the city of Pembroke, coupled with the increased cost of providing services to our citizens, we are constantly seeking funding from additional sources,” she said. “Examples are CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and USDA grant/loans which have helped us secure funding for our fourth and final phase for water/sewer services in our city; vehicles for both our police and fire departments; cameras and computers in our police vehicles; a new backhoe for our street department; and funding to replace old water pipes in a section of our city.”

Read full story in Aug. 28 issue of Bryan County News.