The Nashville Town Council will get its first look at the 2008-09 budget proposal on Tuesday.

Town Manager Preston Mitchell did not comment on the budget's details since the Town Council had not seen the proposal by presstime. The town manager said the chances of not having to raise the property tax, though, are "favorable."

But that is not for certain until the budget wins the Town Council's approval.

"(The Town) Council makes the final decision," Mitchell said. "I'm just presenting it."

The town may have to raise its water and sewer rates to adjust to the increase in the cost of those services provided by Rocky Mount, Mitchell said.

"If past history is followed, probably so," he said.

Mitchell did not comment on other parts of the budget, such as capital projects.

"I think I followed the priorities that Council had laid out at their annual budget retreat," he said.

The town finished the new Harold D. Cooley Library, a major capital project, earlier this year. The library replaced the local Joyner's Great Valu grocery store and provided the Town Council with a new room in which to hold its regular meetings.

In recent discussions, officials have weighed the possibility of building a new Town Hall on a piece of land on South Barnes Street. The town ordered a geotechnical survey of the site to determine if it is suitable for a new facility.

Other large-scale building proposals include a new fire department substation on the east side of town to meet the demand for emergency services in the area and an outdoor farmer's market along Washington Street. Neither proposal has been approved.

The Town Council is expected to hold budget work sessions, during which they can weigh in on the proposal and make changes. The town is required to hold a public hearing on the budget proposal and must have the financial agenda passed before the beginning of the new fiscal year – July 1.

The Town Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the library on Church Street.