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Washington County commissioners review FY22 budget, keep tax-discount program
Summary
At a Jan. 19, 2021 FY22 budget workshop, Washington County officials reviewed fund balances and budget guidelines, agreed to continue the tax-discount program, flagged EMS and landfill funding as concerns, and discussed capital priorities including vehicles, courthouse repairs and an economic development hire.
Washington CountyBoard of Commissioners reviewed preliminary FY22 budget priorities at a Jan. 19 workshop, agreeing to continue an existing tax-discount program and asking staff for updated fund-balance estimates before finalizing next year's spending plan.
County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter told the board the county is "in relatively good shape" but warned the Emergency Medical Services fund will likely need ongoing supplemental support and described the landfill as the "least healthy" of county funds because of expected post-closure costs. Finance Officer Missy Dixon reported the General Fund's unassigned balance was $5,446,620 as of June 30, 2020, equal to about 38.67% of FY20 expenditures.
The board examined the budget calendar and draft budget guidelines Mr. Potter circulated, which cover statutory deadlines, department-head kickoff plans and standard submission templates. Commissioners expressed support for the current budget notebook format and asked staff to return to the Feb. 1 (revised to February meeting) with a revised fund-balance estimate and a proposed update to the county's fund-balance policy. The county's formal policy is 10% (adopted in 2015); management recommended increasing the target to at least 20% to better match the jurisdiction's financial profile.
On routine items, the board by consensus agreed to continue the tax-discount program (staff estimated its annual cost at about $61,000) and to maintain a $10,000-per-year allocation for PARTF recreation matching. Commissioners discussed whether that PARTF allocation could be held in a restricted account rather than rolling into the General Fund; Mr. Potter and Ms. Dixon said they believe it can be done and will provide options.
The workshop also flagged a series of near-term capital and operating needs for FY22: sheriff and EMS vehicles, planning and recreation vehicles, detention maintenance, courthouse roof/structural repairs, a water SCADA replacement and Pea Ridge water expansion, VOIP phone and radio upgrades, airport terminal and hangar work, and potential EMS facility/station needs. Mr. Potter noted water and sanitation are enterprise funds and that Washington County last raised water rates in 2015. The packet included an extensive draft Capital Improvement Plan and lists of immediate needs.
Chair William R. "Bill" Sexton raised economic development as a priority, noting the county will finish paying debt service on the Commerce Building this year and suggesting the county consider a part-time economic development position to attract tenants; he asked Mr. Potter to contact the Albemarle Commission for assistance. The board also discussed potential revenue options including a 1/4-cent local option sales tax (staff estimate: about $380,000) and several cost-saving initiatives such as fleet management and an energy audit program.
The board agreed by consensus to move closed-session items permitted by North Carolina General Statutes —69-143-318.11(a)(3) (attorney-client privilege) and (a)(4) (economic development) to the Feb. 1 meeting. With no further business, Commissioner Ann Keyes moved to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.; Commissioner Julius Walker Jr. seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call.
Next steps: staff will provide a revised fund-balance estimate and proposed guideline changes at the next scheduled meeting, return more detail on recommended CIP priorities and cost-savings options, and report back on whether the PARTF allocation can be restricted as requested.
