Roanoke Rapids, N.C. ? The City Council on Wednesday approved a five-cent increase to the local tax rate, in part because of financial difficulties at a music theater formerly operated by country music singer Randy Parton.
The local tax rate is set at 62.4 cents per $100 assessed value, and the increase will cost the owner of a $100,000 an extra $50 a year.
City Manager Phyllis Lee said the increase would help pay for a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for city employees, but she acknowledged that financial difficulties at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre made the increase necessary.
Since the theater opened, the city has spent about $739,000 more than the facility has brought in, officials said.
by Locker Room contributor
