BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

WINDSOR—Windsor Town Council proposed a $1.5 million budget for 2011-12 that does not include a property tax increase, or any reduction or new services.

Employees will receive $500 across-the-board raises, Town Manager Michael Stallings said during Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Although employees received a two percent pay raises last year, the cost of medical insurance has skyrocketed, and that is the reason for this year’s raise, Stalling said.

The proposed budget is two percent higher than last year’s spending plan or about $150,000. It includes $205,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation for new sidewalks and a $58,000 federal grant to hire an additional police officer.

Also set aside is $38,000 for a police cruiser, $10,000 for computer updates and a $50,000 future development fund to assure that there is cash on hand when needed.

Tax rates will stay at 10 cents per $100 of assessed value for real estate and 50 cents per $100 of assessed value for personal property.

A public hearing on the budget will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at the town hall.

Residents who have questions may call Stallings at 242-4288 during office hours.

In other business, Rusty Chase, chief of Isle of Wight County Emergency Services, spoke about Hurricane Preparedness. He urges IOW citizens to sign up for Alert Now, a program that instantly alerts citizens when a natural or man-made disaster strikes. Residents may go to www.iwalert.com.

Mayor Carita Richardson re-appointed Glen Willis and Devon Hewitt to Windsor Planning Commission. She also nominated Karita Suiter to serve on the Windsor Board of Zoning Appeals.