Beaufort County commissioners record multiple budget additions, add 3% COLA and remove half‑cent tax increase

Beaufort County commissioners met in a budget workshop to consider department expansion requests and outside-agency funding and recorded straw votes on a series of additions that staff will incorporate into a revised budget ordinance.

The board voted to increase the cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) included in the recommended budget from 2.5% to 3%. Speaker 5 proposed the higher COLA and the chair moved the item; the board recorded the addition in a show‑of‑hands straw poll. Staff later estimated the additional half‑percent will cost the county about $145,000 annually.

Commissioners approved multiple staffing and program additions on the expansion worksheet. Zero‑cost personnel reclassifications in the tax office were approved as a wash. The board added a one‑month training overlap for a retiring tax office employee (estimated $8,922). Public Works requested a full‑time maintenance position (estimated cost $64,700; projected offset savings $18,000) and the board added the request to the worksheet.

The health department’s request to add a primary‑care practitioner (budgeted at $144,263) was approved; staff reported an anticipated revenue offset of about $160,000 (including a $150,000 grant spread over three years). Commissioners debated whether the county should expand direct health‑care provision, with one commissioner opposing further county expansion into clinical services and a health‑care representative saying local providers have been supportive and that additional clinic capacity can reduce emergency‑department usage.

Department of Social Services (DSS) requests that the board approved include an on‑call social worker (gross $95,004.97; the state reportedly reimburses 50%, net county cost ~$47,007.48) and an armed security contract through Allied Services (gross $91,005.10; net county cost after the state offset ~ $45,007.55). Staff said the county expects to cover the county share of DSS positions through anticipated lapsed salaries and reimbursements.

The board also approved a number of outside‑agency grants and operating increases by show of hands: recurring support to the Food Bank of the Albemarle ($5,000), Open Door Community Center ($1,000), and a small increase to Pampco Pals ($500). The recovery court received an additional $20,000 earmarked for Beaufort County residents. Some requests failed or were not advanced (a $5,000 contribution to Bath Recreation’s irrigation project was defeated).

On revenue, the board removed the manager’s recommended half‑cent tax increase from the recommended budget (staff estimated the half‑cent would have generated about $491,837); staff said removing that increase keeps the county’s tax rate the same as last year. Staff reported the net effect of the evening’s additions and removals would leave a small difference (about $6,478) on an approximately $81.6 million budget; staff proposed plugging that gap with contingency.

Next steps: staff said a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, at which the board may act to adopt the ordinance; if the board does not adopt Monday night, staff will schedule a special meeting to finalize adoption. The chair motioned to adjourn the workshop and the board approved.

Votes at a glance (recorded in workshop as show‑of‑hands straw polls; where specific tallies were not stated in the transcript, the record shows only that the motion passed or failed):

- Increase COLA from 2.5% to 3% — mover: Chair (speaker 1); outcome: approved (count recorded verbally as "3"). - Tax office reclassification (zero‑cost) — mover: speaker 3; outcome: approved (wash). - Training overlap (tax office) — mover: Chair (speaker 1); estimated $8,922; outcome: approved. - Public Works maintenance employee — outcome: added to worksheet. - Health department primary‑care practitioner (gross $144,263; offset ~$160,000 in revenue/grants) — outcome: approved. - DSS on‑call social worker (gross $95,004.97; state 50% offset) — outcome: approved. - DSS security guard (Allied Services, gross $91,005.10; state offset) — outcome: approved. - Food Bank of the Albemarle $5,000 recurring; Open Door $1,000; Pampco Pals $500 — outcomes: approved. - Bath Recreation irrigation $5,000 — outcome: failed. - Recovery Court additional $20,000 (earmarked for Beaufort County residents) — outcome: approved.

Authorities and clarifications: staff referenced a three‑year grant supporting the health practitioner (described at $150,000 per year in the transcript) and stated that some DSS costs would be reimbursed at 50% by the state. The record does not include full roll‑call tallies by name; most actions were recorded as show‑of‑hands straw polls and were added to the expansion worksheet for inclusion in the budget ordinance.

The board will hold a public hearing and may adopt the budget at Monday’s meeting or at a specially scheduled session if further action is needed.