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Proposed Winston-Salem city budget calls for property tax hikes and fee increases

Winston-Salem residents could see increased fees and property taxes under a preliminary city budget presented this week. 

The proposal calls for a 7% increase in water and sewer rates – that means the average customer would see their bill go up by about $7 on a bimonthly basis.  

The city plans to pay for street resurfacing projects by doubling motor vehicle fees from $15 to $30. Fees for stormwater are set to go up too, by about 8%. 

Under the budget, property tax rates would increase by 6 cents per $100 in valuation. That would in part pay for evening and weekend public transit hours. 

In a statement, City Manager Pat Pate noted that even with the increases, the average Winston-Salem homeowner would still pay less for services than in Greensboro or Charlotte. 

The public is invited to voice concerns about the budget on the city’s website, or during a public hearing at city hall on June 17. The city council is set to vote on it during the same meeting. 

April Laissle is a reporter and WFDD's host of All Things Considered. Her work has been featured on several national news programs and recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Before joining WFDD in 2019, she worked at public radio stations in Ohio and California.

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