Martin County commissioners review proposed FY2021-22 budget, weigh staffing requests and cost cuts

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. — The Martin County Board of Commissioners on March 17 heard detailed departmental presentations on the proposed FY2021‑2022 budget, which includes a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees, an increase in life‑insurance coverage from $10,000 to $15,000, and a reduction in pre‑65 health insurance costs, County Manager James Bennett told the board.

Bennett opened the special session in the Commissioners’ Boardroom at 7 p.m. and said the overall proposed budget shows a net decrease compared with the current year while preserving core services. Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond moved to approve the meeting agenda; Commissioner Emily Biggs seconded the motion and the board approved it 4‑0.

Department heads reviewed line‑by‑line requests and identified both cuts and new needs. Interim Cooperative Extension Director Rod Gurganus requested Martin County contribute about $15,000 toward reinstating a shared Small Farms/4‑H agent under a cost‑share model (NC State 50%; Martin County ~30%; Beaufort County ~20%), with the position to be based in Martin County three days a week if funded and starting January 1, 2022.

Register of Deeds Kimberly Griffin said e‑recording, effective April 1, will increase workload; she requested a full‑time position but was told that would not be possible this year and instead asked for a raise for a long‑time part‑time employee. Elections Director Kristy Modlin said the office is budgeting for three elections but that redistricting could shift the primary schedule; Modlin also asked that a previously requested 2.2% salary adjustment be included and Bennett confirmed that request is reflected in the proposed budget, subject to Board approval.

DSS/Transit Director Angela Ellis reported about $311,000 in cuts to the Department of Social Services and roughly $26,000 in cuts to Transit; she emphasized much spending remains driven by COVID‑19 and said she could return to request additional funds if necessary. Finance Officer Cindy Ange cautioned that some cost increases are unavoidable — including the proposed 2% COLA, higher audit work, and a $5,500 software purchase — but said other professional services and travel lines were reduced.

Public Works Director Justin Harrison reviewed county facilities and recommended continued maintenance; he also raised a separate funding problem for scrap‑tire disposal, saying the state distribution of tire‑fee revenue changed under state law (statutes cited) and now county reimbursements do not cover recycling costs. Harrison asked the board to consider discussions with state legislators and described a more modest, lower‑cost plan for three dumpsters at the Convenient Center to improve consumer safety.

Information Technology Director Jeb Gardner proposed replacing outside contract IT services with one full‑time hire at roughly $40,000 per year to gain daily on‑site coverage; Gardner said COVID‑19 relief funds had been used to replace laptops, freeing department funds. Sheriff Tim Manning said the sheriff’s budget includes server costs for body‑camera storage and requested that courthouse single‑point entry security be budgeted; Manning said judges and the clerk of court have sent letters supporting courthouse security upgrades.

The proposed budget package includes manager‑recommended policy changes and fee adjustments: tap deposit from $550 to $600, Moratoc Building rental from $400 to $500, and a new $125 fee for the Barnes House rental. Bennett also proposed ending compensatory time for exempt employees going forward, stopping flex time for new hires (current employees grandfathered), and ending a countywide work‑from‑home policy for future hires. Bennett presented per‑diem meal rates totaling $50 per day ($10 breakfast, $15 lunch, $25 dinner).

Chairman Ronnie Smith and other commissioners thanked staff for their work and said they did not anticipate a tax increase for FY2021‑22 unless circumstances change. No final budget vote or formal adoption occurred at the meeting. Commissioner Joe R. Ayers moved to adjourn at 9:06 p.m.; Vice Chairman Bond seconded and the board approved the motion 4‑0.

The board did not take final action on the budget; several requests (staffing for extension and inspections apprenticeship, courthouse security, and IT staffing) were preserved for further consideration as the budget process continues.