This article was published in the Lenoir News-Topic.

The Town of Gamewell’s budget for fiscal 2013-14, passed on June 10, comes with an increase in the sewer rate but, as in years before, the town will not levy a property tax.

The sewer rate will increase from $4.75 for each 1,000 gallons of sewer used, with a 4,000-gallon minimum, to $5. That raises the minimum bill from $19 to $20.

Along with one other municipality in the county – Cajah’s Mountain – Gamewell does not levy property tax. That will stay the same in 2013-14, and it’s the intention of the town council that it will stay the same in the future, Town Manager Mary Carter said.

The town’s only major capital project this year is a new gravel parking lot at Gamewell Park, which should be finished this summer.

At its meeting on June 10, the town council also approved its first donation policy. The town set a limit of $250 for local nonprofits requesting donations, with a caveat that special circumstances could prompt a $350 donation. All donations would be at the council’s discretion.