Henderson Finance Director Joey Fuqua presented the FY 2025-26 proposed budget of $54.5 million to the City Council Monday. The balanced budget means that no tax increase will be called for, but the city will have to dip big into its fund balance – to the tune of $4,058,000.
Fuqua called the budget “conservative” and “really challenging,” indicating that he had to deal with a shortfall of about $880,000.
In broad terms, increased salaries that outpace revenues from proposed development are a big reason for the shortfall, and Fuqua said the city implemented savings strategies in January to help as much as possible. The total budget – 54,517,011 – represents a very conservative 1 percent increase over last year’s budget.
Facing a $880,000 shortfall, Fuqua turned to cost-saving measures in January 2025 to help stem the tide. He also turned to the city’s department heads to look for savings.
“Police and fire collectively were able to come up with $300,000 in savings within their budget,” Fuqua told WIZS Monday. The rest of the savings came from across other departments, further chipping away at the shortfall.
Those cost-saving measures and a healthy fund balance are what enabled Fuqua to keep the current tax rate.
Water and sewer rates will be going up, however. Water rates will increase 13.5 percent over the next two years. Sewer rates will rise by 7 percent over the next two years.
Property tax and sales tax are the city’s primary source of revenue. In Fuqua’s presentation to the Council, he said collections are pacing ahead of last year’s total as of April. Tax collections have remained essentially even to 2024 at 97.26 percent.
He said he did question some numbers coming from the county’s tax department, adding that he expected some of those figures to be adjusted in the city’s favor.
Projected increases in the tax base are just that – projections. And Fuqua told Council members several times during his presentation that the city needs to grow – in population to create new taxpayers and in development to increase the tax base.
“We are not being saved by development because we aren’t having development,” he said. Simply put, until the city can afford to pay for services like public safety and more, the tax rate will not be going down.
“.65 is the rate that would be necessary to pay for the salaries that the city has arrived at over a number of recent years,” Fuqua explained to WIZS Monday night after the meeting concluded. “We’re on the hook for those that hit the bottom line…when you factor in those salary levels and all the fringe, .65 is what’s going to pay for it. We don’t have other forms of revenue to supplement what we have to do to make that mark.”
The City Council has scheduled its first budget work session for May 19 at 6 p.m. The new budget must be adopted by July 1, 2025 when the new fiscal year begins.
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The Henderson City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12 for its regular monthly meeting. Items on the agenda include presentation of the 2025-26 city budget and a discussion of water and sewer rate increases.
Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has announced a special called meeting set for 5 p.m. as well, to discuss a personnel matter, according to information from Clerk Tracey Kimbrell. Water and sewer rates have remained the same for six years, and results of a study were presented to Council during a September 2024 work session. The study concluded that a significant adjustment to the water rates was needed, while a less substantial adjustment to the sewer rates was also required. The Council is expected to act on the resolution to increase the rates.
Anyone wishing to address the Council must do so in person or submit questions/comments to the City Clerk by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Join the Zoom Meeting at the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81365676350?pwd=B5woNmYx1X0G0s3VTpBOptHqPWY2eA.1
Originally written and posted on May 12, 2025
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TownTalk: Henderson City Council Meeting Budget Presented
/by WIZS StaffHenderson Finance Director Joey Fuqua presented the FY 2025-26 proposed budget of $54.5 million to the City Council Monday. The balanced budget means that no tax increase will be called for, but the city will have to dip big into its fund balance – to the tune of $4,058,000.
Fuqua called the budget “conservative” and “really challenging,” indicating that he had to deal with a shortfall of about $880,000.
In broad terms, increased salaries that outpace revenues from proposed development are a big reason for the shortfall, and Fuqua said the city implemented savings strategies in January to help as much as possible. The total budget – 54,517,011 – represents a very conservative 1 percent increase over last year’s budget.
Facing a $880,000 shortfall, Fuqua turned to cost-saving measures in January 2025 to help stem the tide. He also turned to the city’s department heads to look for savings.
“Police and fire collectively were able to come up with $300,000 in savings within their budget,” Fuqua told WIZS Monday. The rest of the savings came from across other departments, further chipping away at the shortfall.
Those cost-saving measures and a healthy fund balance are what enabled Fuqua to keep the current tax rate.
Water and sewer rates will be going up, however. Water rates will increase 13.5 percent over the next two years. Sewer rates will rise by 7 percent over the next two years.
Property tax and sales tax are the city’s primary source of revenue. In Fuqua’s presentation to the Council, he said collections are pacing ahead of last year’s total as of April. Tax collections have remained essentially even to 2024 at 97.26 percent.
He said he did question some numbers coming from the county’s tax department, adding that he expected some of those figures to be adjusted in the city’s favor.
Projected increases in the tax base are just that – projections. And Fuqua told Council members several times during his presentation that the city needs to grow – in population to create new taxpayers and in development to increase the tax base.
“We are not being saved by development because we aren’t having development,” he said. Simply put, until the city can afford to pay for services like public safety and more, the tax rate will not be going down.
“.65 is the rate that would be necessary to pay for the salaries that the city has arrived at over a number of recent years,” Fuqua explained to WIZS Monday night after the meeting concluded. “We’re on the hook for those that hit the bottom line…when you factor in those salary levels and all the fringe, .65 is what’s going to pay for it. We don’t have other forms of revenue to supplement what we have to do to make that mark.”
The City Council has scheduled its first budget work session for May 19 at 6 p.m. The new budget must be adopted by July 1, 2025 when the new fiscal year begins.
CLICK PLAY!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
The Henderson City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12 for its regular monthly meeting. Items on the agenda include presentation of the 2025-26 city budget and a discussion of water and sewer rate increases.
Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has announced a special called meeting set for 5 p.m. as well, to discuss a personnel matter, according to information from Clerk Tracey Kimbrell. Water and sewer rates have remained the same for six years, and results of a study were presented to Council during a September 2024 work session. The study concluded that a significant adjustment to the water rates was needed, while a less substantial adjustment to the sewer rates was also required. The Council is expected to act on the resolution to increase the rates.
Anyone wishing to address the Council must do so in person or submit questions/comments to the City Clerk by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Join the Zoom Meeting at the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81365676350?pwd=B5woNmYx1X0G0s3VTpBOptHqPWY2eA.1
Originally written and posted on May 12, 2025
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TownTalk: Council Restricts Mayor’s Time At City Hall, Reinstates Daeke As Mayor Pro Tem
/by Laura GabelThe Henderson City Council voted 6-2 Monday to limit the time Mayor Melissa Elliott can spend at City Hall to no more than two hours twice a week until it can review information contained in recent employee surveys.
It was one of two items added to Monday’s agenda at the request of Council Member Lamont Noel. The other item concerned removing Michael Venable as mayor pro tem and reinstating Garry Daeke.
Daeke, Noel and Council Member Sara Coffey were not present when Venable was voted in as pro tem back in February. The action violates the rule that all members be present to vote on agenda additions.
Coffey made the motion, which Venable seconded. The motion passed 7-1, with Council Member Geraldine Champion voting no.
Coming on the heels of the mayor pro tem vote was Noel’s recommendation to restrict – temporarily – the amount of time that the mayor can spend at City Hall.
Noel told WIZS News Monday night that the move was made “to offer relief based on the complaints that we have received in the employee surveys. The findings were rather alarming,” he said, without going into any details.
Noel continued by saying the Council needs to carefully review and consider the information in the employee surveys to determine next steps. In the meantime, Elliott was to turn in her key fob and limit her time to no more than two hours a day, twice a week at City Hall.
Council Member Sam Seifert made a motion to accept Noel’s recommendation. Council Member Daeke seconded the motion and it passed 6-2. Voting no were Council members Champion and Venable.
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SportsTalk: Charlotte Hornets All-Time Draft Picks
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
On this edition on SportsTalk, Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis discuss the Charlotte Hornets placement in the upcoming NBA Draft in addition to the draft picks that the Hornets have made since 2004, when the NBA came back to Charlotte in the form of the Bobcats. The guys also recap the Carolina Hurricanes win over the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Thanks to Matthew for calling into the show!
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-13-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Warren County Looking For New Provider For Utilities Bills
/by WIZS StaffWarren County officials announced that the company that prepares, prints and mails invoices for the county’s utilities customers has stopped providing that service.
Effective immediately, the company – PMSI – has “ceased operations and will not complete any future orders for distribution of monthly invoices for Warren County,” according to information from the office of Warren County Manager Crystal Smith. “We are diligently negotiating with another printing partner to print statements. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. For account balances, please contact the Public Utilities office at 252.257.3645.
Warren County Public Utilities strives to serve our community in the most efficient way with the utmost customer service. We are here to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Impact of Kudzu
/by WIZS StaffOn the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Michael Ellington:
We speak about the history and impact of Kudzu. We also discuss our efforts to educate residents on how to control it by hosting research trials at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market community garden.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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‘Stomp The Stigma 5K Run/Walk May 31 At Maria Parham Franklin
/by WIZS StaffStep out and step up to support National Mental Health Awareness Month at Maria Parham Franklin’s “Stomp the Stigma” 5K run and walk on Saturday, May 31 in Louisburg.
Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at the Maria Parham Franklin campus, 100 Hospital Dr. in Louisburg. There are three events for participants: the 5K run/walk begins at 9 a.m.; the 1-mile family fun run/walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and the Kids’ Dash is at 10 a.m.
Maria Parham Franklin and the MPF Behavioral Health team are hosting the run/walk to raise awareness around mental health, reduce stigma and foster support for the needs of the local community.
Emilee Johnson, Maria Parham’s vice president of Operations, said this inaugural event is a great way to combine a fun activity with raising awareness to reduce the stigma that often surrounds mental health issues.
“Exercise helps a great deal with mental well-being,” Johnson said, so blending education and awareness with an event that provides physical activity just makes sense.
Vendors who provide education and treatment services will be on hand to share information about different types of mental illness and available resources for individuals.
The proceeds for the run/walk will be used to provide help to those in the four-county area, said Ashley Jarema, MPF coordinator for Marketing & Communications.
All dollars raised will go to First In Families, a local nonprofit that offers services and more to clients in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. Whether the money is used for actual care or to help individuals get access to the care they need, the funds are meant to stay in the local area.
“We want to normalize seeking help when needed,” Jarema said, adding that oftentimes, people struggle silently. “We want to make everyone aware that it’s OK to seek help.”
If you want to make sure you get a t-shirt and a swag bag, you should register no later than Friday, May 16. It’s fine to register later – or even the morning of, too.
Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Louisburg/StompTheStigmaK
The top three male finishers and the top three female finishers will receive prizes, and the first 100 finishers will get medals.
There are surely folks who will want to get to the finish line first, but Jarema said “You don’t have to be a runner, you don’t even have to be a walker” to come out and help. There’s a spot to sign up to be a volunteer on the registration page.
Johnson said the message to the community is simple: “You are not alone. We are here with you. We all fight the battle together.”
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SportsTalk: Baseball Galore and NHL Playoffs
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
On this edition of SportsTalk, Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue give an update on the teams still playing in High School Baseball around the area, as well as a look at Minor League Baseball in the state of North Carolina. The guys also talk about Game 4 for the Carolina Hurricanes as they look to take a 3-1 against the Washington Capitals. Also, the NBA Draft Lottery is tonight. Can the Charlotte Hornets get Cooper Flagg?
High School Baseball Playoffs:
High School Baseball Playoff Games Coming Up:
Virginia High School Baseball
Friday MiLB Scores:
Saturday MiLB Scores:
Sunday MiLB Scores:
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Troxler Encourages Horse Owners To Vaccinate Equines Against Mosquito-Borne Disease
/by WIZS Staff–information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Agriculture
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus.
“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” Troxler said. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. However, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.”
So far this year we have had no cases of EEE or WNV, but last year there were five cases of EEE and two cases of West Nile Virus, Troxler added.
State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from mosquito-borne diseases. The combination vaccination initially requires multiple injections for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history.
Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans, and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of WNV include fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, head pressing, seizures and aimless wandering.
People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying these diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit these viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.
Equine care also includes keeping up to date on equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing, commonly referred to as the Coggins test. “It’s also a great time to make sure your animal is current on its rabies vaccination,” Troxler said. “We have had a positive case of rabies in livestock already this year. All livestock are naturally curious animals, which puts them at risk for a bite if a rabid animal gets through their fence line.”
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-12-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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