City of Wilmington, North Carolina > City Manager > Budget Fast Facts

Monday, May 20, 2013

City Manager Budget Fast Facts Budget FAQs Question or comment? Send an email to: budgetinfo@wilmingtonnc.gov Leave a message on the budget hotline: 910.341.0114			Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Travel should be stopped for all city employees, including management and City Council. Q2. The city states that Wilmington's tax rate is the second lowest for the cities listed. Do all of those cities also pay county taxes? If so, how does that rate compare to New Hanover County? Secondly, now that the city and county have outsourced water and sewer, how do those rates compare to other cities? Q3. As a revenue leader in New Hanover County, how can we act to put more money into our economy? Q4. What priorities guide decisions about cutting expenditures and growing revenues? Q5. How might the budget shortfall impact infrastructural projects, if at all? Q6. Approximately 8,050 of Fortune 500 companies have eliminated defined benefit pensions due to the cost. What steps is the city taking to this plan? Q7. Are the division's budgets completely forthcoming about other revenue sources (e.g. TARP), or are some of the reductions over-stated? Q8. What is the city's long term pension/benefit obligation for city employees? Q9. It appears we have about one city employee for each 100 city residents (about 1000 city employees & 100,000 city residents). How does this compare to other cities? Q10. I read that the fire and police departments are charging for false alarms. More revenue. Where does this money go? Q11. Is the fire safety rating worth 11 fire houses for 52 square miles? Q12. The city should be able to balance their budget like I have to. Why not go through every part, right down to pens, pencils, trips, etc.? Q13. Why can't we collect taxes from all the nonprofit entities? Q14. Doesn't the city rent any of its buildings to a third party? Q15. What about all the money the city gets from fines and speeding and parking tickets? Q16. Why does the city give money to nonprofits? Q17. Does the city do anything about departments who spend money at the end of their fiscal year because they are afraid if they don't spend it, they won't get it next year? Q18. Can't the city get money from government grants? Q19. I've heard that if the county raises their property taxes, the city will receive less sales tax revenue. Is this true? Why can't the city get more money for sales taxes? Q20. Health insurance rates should be raised for city employees. I heard they pay less than $30 per month. Q21. Why is the city spending so much money on "slow down curbing" in areas where a four-way stop sign system would work just as well? Q22. The city should allow people to receive the City Newsletter electronically instead of by mail. This would save money and be good for the environment. Q23. Why does the city keep building parks? What is the "Parks Bond?" Why can't that money go toward something else? Q24. Why do we have the SafeLight program? Does the city make money on these cameras? Q25. How is the city performing on tax collection? The value of the last New Hanover County sales tax increase equals outstanding unpaid county property taxes. Delinquency collections should be a priority before taxes are raised. Q26. Why doesn't the city encourage residents to be advocates of annexation? Wouldn't this help? Q27. The budget is too complicated. How can I better understand it? Q28. Sales taxes were increased last year. Why does the city need more money? Q29. What is an "Enterprise Fund?" Q30. What is the "General Fund?" Q31. City government is too big. Why can't the city cut costs? Q32. Property taxes are too high. Why does the city keep raising property taxes? Q33. I can't afford a property tax increase. Q34. Why does the city have debt?						Public input Questions and comments came from citizens who sent an email to budgetinfo@wilmingtonnc.gov, left a voicemail on the Budget Hotline or attended a public budget education meeting. Helpful links Budget home page Adopted FY 2011-12 budget Budget FAQs

102 North Third Street - Post Office Box 1810
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1810
910.341.7800
Questions, Comments? Email Us!
Login