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County manager reports flat sales-tax revenue, BEAD broadband allocations and fair preparations; no bids were submitted for fair concession stands
Summary
County Manager Dustin Welker reported sales tax roughly flat year to date, pending bond-refinance opportunity, BEAD broadband allocations of 1,560 aerial and 8 fiber connections for the county, active fair preparations and that no bids were received for two fair concession stands.
During the Sept. 15 meeting, County Manager Dustin Welker gave an update on county finances, grants and upcoming projects.
Welker reported local sales-tax revenue for the first three months of the fiscal year was “nearly flat with last year” and that the most recent month showed a 4.06% increase over the same month last year; year-to-date local sales tax was “just under 1% ahead” of last year. He said state-shared sales-tax collections were about $100,000 higher than last September and that year-to-date state-shared sales-tax was 12.4% ahead of last year.
Welker said the county has projects out to bid including a Main Street building remodel to relocate the county attorney’s office and parking-lot work at the fairgrounds; the county will open bids at its first October meeting. He described ongoing work on a potential refinance of general obligation (G.O.) bonds that could save roughly $600,000 over the life of the bonds if market conditions allow.
On broadband, Welker said federal BEAD funds allocated to Graham County cover 1,560 aerial connections and eight fiber connections; he said initial federal planning favored fiber but costs and geography changed the allocation to a mix that includes many aerial/satellite connections. Welker noted local providers such as Valley Telecom, Sparklight and CenturyLink already provide connectivity.
Welker also reported the fair season is under way, the county is hiring about 50 seasonal workers, and the fairgrounds parking-lot curbing work is near completion. Separately, the county opened bids for two fair concession stands and received no bids; staff said they will seek vendors directly through social media and other outreach and can accept proposals without a formal board opening given the timing.
The manager said one road at the jail back entrance required redesign because semi trucks were getting high-centered; the county has solicited quotes for a fix. Welker closed by thanking staff and partners for fair preparations.
