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Supervisors, citizens press for clarity on utilities reserves, assets and staffing
Summary
Board members and residents raised questions about past transfers to the utilities fund, staffing shortages and whether one-time budget funds should be used to shore up water and sewer operations.
Gloucester County supervisors heard requests from citizens and staff for clearer documentation and additional funding for the county utilities department, with public commenters and several supervisors saying they could not find recent records of asset transfers or reserve use.
A resident, Teresa Altimus, reviewed documents she obtained from the board packet and said the last large transfer from the general fund to utilities occurred in 2018 and totaled $430,524; she asked where similar sums might have been spent in subsequent years and urged the board to locate funds that she estimated could total several million over time.
Supervisors and county staff also discussed a staffing shortfall in utilities. Board members said the department needs more field and treatment-plant staff and that operating challenges go beyond capital funding. One supervisor said achieving a true 24-hour operation at the treatment plant would require multiple additional staff and recurring operating dollars, not just a one-time capital infusion.
County staff and consultants mentioned a Raftelis analysis of utilities (consultant—s report) and a separate five-year development-fee and PayGo plan; supervisors debated whether to use unassigned fund balance or any "manna from heaven" cash infusion later in the fiscal year to support utilities work while noting the limits of one-time funding to address ongoing staffing needs.
Ending: Board members asked staff to gather asset records, clarify historical transfers and prepare options for using one-time versus recurring funds for utilities before the next budget meeting.
