There are few frills in the recommended 2012-2013 budget for Aberdeen.

Town Manager Bill Zell presented the proposed budget to the Aberdeen commissioners Thursday during a work session.

The recommended budget includes a $6.48 million general fund and an additional $2.45 million in the water-sewer fund, totaling $8.9 million.

The tax rate would remain unchanged at 43 cents per $100 property valuation, but there is a 5 percent water-sewer rate increase.

“It seems to be a lot more difficult to find revenues,” Zell said of this year’s budget.

He attributed that issue to modest revenue growth and a desire to not raise taxes.

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at 6 p.m. June 11. The commissioners will then vote on adopting the budget at a called meeting set for 5:30 p.m. June 18. The budget must be approved by July 1.

In Zell’s budget message, he indicated that the tax rate is able to remain unchanged because of an increase in property valuation and continued population growth.

The proposed budget also allows for two new positions — a police investigation officer and a town grant writer.

In addition, there are several capital expenditures in the proposed budget, including a knuckle boom truck ($120,00) for the Public Works Department and four vehicles for the Police Department (two patrol cars and two SUVs for investigators).

The knuckle boom truck is a dump truck with a movable crane-like arm that can pick up items.

Zell praised the town’s department heads for their ability to hold their spending down while still maintaining a high level of service for residents.

“I am confident they will continue conserving dollars,” Zell said in his budget message. “You can be sure that we will be keeping a close eye on all our revenues over the next year and will be keeping up with what’s happening in the economy. The town’s services to our citizens are our number one priority.”

The reason for the increase in water-sewer rates is because of the expansion and upgrade project at the Addor wastewater treatment plant. Because of growth, Moore County is expanding the plant’s capacity from 6.7 million gallons per day to 10 million gallons per day at a cost of $32 million.

Aberdeen sells a guaranteed 228,000 gallons of water daily to Moore County.

Water customers pay a base rate and then an additional charge based on usage. Rates are different for in-town and out-of-town residents.

“The recommendations contained in the fiscal year 2012-2013 budget reflect the goal of the Board of Commissioners to continue improving the quality of life here in Aberdeen while holding expenditures at a conservative level,” Zell said in his budget message. “As always, we will be challenged this year due to the continued economic downturn, but I recommend this budget to you without reservation and believe it will adequately provide for the level of services our citizens expect while remaining fiscally conservative in order to maintain an appropriate financial standing by the North Carolina Local Government Commission.”

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or by email at tembrey@thepilot.com.