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WINTON – The Hertford County Board of Commissioners have unanimously approved the county’s FY 2023-24 budget ordinance.

That new budget, which became effective July 1, maintains the Ad Valorem tax rate at 84 cents (per $100 of property value).

However, there is a rate increase for households connected to the county’s Northern and Southern Rural Water Districts. The change is in the monthly flat rate, which increased by $15 (from $25 to $40). The flat rate still includes the first 2,000 gallons of usage per month. After that, the $4 rate for every 1,000 gallons (in excess of 2,000 gallons) remains unchanged.

An annual levy of $260 for Solid Waste remains on each tax bill.

As for the General Fund, the commissioners approved a balanced that calls for revenues and expenditures totaling $29,428,426. That amount is approximately $1.5 million higher than what was received and spent during FY 2022-23.

Public Safety will receive the lion’s share ($8,208,668) of taxpayer money. That department includes the Sheriff’s Office (which will receive $2,632,693), the Detention Center ($2,145,137), and Emergency Medical Services ($1,589,242).

Human Services is slated to operate on $6,173,892 worth of local taxpayer funding during FY 2023-24. DSS will receive over 75 percent of that money ($4,791,748).

General Government will gain $6,042,242 in taxpayer money. Those agencies include Administration, Human Resources, Finance Officer, Tax Office, Board of Elections, Register of Deeds, Land Records, Court Facilities, and Public Buildings and Maintenance.

Education is slated to receive $5,471,598. Hertford County Public Schools ($4,252,063) and Roanoke-Chowan Community College ($1,000.035) are awarded the bulk of that funding.

The main revenue streams for the General Fund budget are Ad Valorem taxes ($13,404,491), Sales and Use taxes ($6,504,225), and motor vehicle taxes ($1,883,300).