Catawba County Manager Tom Lundy has released his recommended Catawba County budget for fiscal year 2007-2008.

In the amount of $256,006,281, the budget proposes a nine cent property tax increase, with three cents of the increase to pay for an expansion to the County jail to relieve severe overcrowding, three cents to pay for new school construction over the next four years, one cent for needed technology for schools, one cent to meet State-mandated teacher salary increases, and one cent for needed water and sewer projects. Catawba County continues to seek authority from the North Carolina General Assembly for a local option one cent sales tax. If that sales tax increase were allowed, it would totally eliminate the need for the proposed property tax increase. Recommended budget    County Manager’s Budget Message

Catawba County has moved up in State rankings of the amount of material being recycled, per person!  

Catawba now ranks 3rd among the 100 North Carolina counties and was singled out for recognition by the State, in part for its planning for a new Eco Complex.  Congratulations to all Catawba County citizens and businesses who are recycling!  See the State's announcement

Fred Miller, Director of the Catawba County Extension for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, has received a top award on the state level.  

Miller was given an Extension Leaderhip Award, given to an employee who demonstrates significant leadership to the organization by county, district and national involvement and contribution.  Full story