BY JOHN KRAHNERT III

Staff Writer

The Pinehurst Village Council has approved a $15.5 million budget - a 3 percent reduction from last year's - that includes significant improvement projects.

The property tax rate will remain un-changed at 28 cents per $100 valuation

Village Manager Andy Wilkison says the 2010-2011 budgeting pro-cess was the most difficult he's had to work on in his tenure with the village. The council voted unanimously to approve the budget Tuesday.

"I think it's a responsible budget, and it will provide a lot of good things," he said. "We've got some good capital projects next year to try to keep the village moving forward."

Among major initiatives in the budget is $805,000 to resurface five miles of road.

The village has appropriated $150,000 for new greenway development this year. It will construct a trail from Pinehurst Elementary School to Given Memorial Library and then continue to build a trail west down Linden Road from Elliot's to Pine Vista and down toward the marina as far as possible.

It has also budgeted $125,000 to improve the downtown sand parking lot. The council elected to hold off on plans for a downtown comfort station for now.

The budget also includes $100,000 for improvements and extensions of the Old Town brick sidewalks.

Contact John Krahnert III by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.