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Martin County hears outside-agency funding requests ahead of FY2020 budget
Summary
Martin County commissioners heard detailed FY2019-20 funding requests from nonprofit and public-service providers—including Martin Community College, the health department, Agape/Metropolitan clinics and local arts and youth groups—totaling multimillion-dollar asks that will be weighed during the county’s budget process.
Martin County commissioners reviewed budget requests from outside agencies during a special session on March 27, 2019, as officials prepare the FY2019-20 county budget. Presenters detailed operating and capital needs for education, health, social services and cultural organizations that rely on local appropriations.
Dr. Paul Hutchins, president of Martin Community College, asked the board for $1,056,806 for operating costs and $170,000 for capital outlay, describing planned construction of a Public Safety training facility and new classrooms for Fire/EMS and equine programs. County Manager David Bone noted the county also needs to replace an aging phone system and encouraged coordination with MCC on potential shared purchases.
Wes Gray, health director for the Martin‑Tyrrell‑Washington District Health Department, requested a total district appropriation of $700,568, estimating Martin County’s share at $410,312 (a per‑capita request of $17.45) to support growing clinic visits, dental services and a mobile dental unit. "The number of visits was up by 20% from the previous year," Gray told the board.
Carol Taylor, dental director for Metropolitan/Agape Community Health Services, requested $200,000 to add medical, dental and behavioral health providers. Taylor said the clinic serves residents regardless of ability to pay and relies heavily on grants; documentation of the agency’s financials was not provided at the presentation.
Nonprofits and cultural organizations also outlined needs. Jason Semple of the Martin County Economic Development Corporation requested $160,853 to support industrial park infrastructure, NC East Alliance dues and future shell-building efforts. Lorene Jackson asked the board to continue a $25,000 allocation to the Boys & Girls Club to support after‑school and summer programs serving roughly 125 children per day. Amanda Corbett of the BHM Regional Library requested $114,613 to support staff cost‑of‑living adjustments and expand book budgets. The Food Bank of the Albemarle asked for $3,500; Executive Director Liz Reasoner said, "For every $1 that came to FBA, they were able to provide four meals."
Other requests included $52,000 for Choanoke Area Development Association programs, $8,500 for the Martin County Arts Council, $8,000 for Martin Community Players, $3,750 for the Center for Family Violence Prevention (which reported bringing $94,944 in state and federal funds into the county last year), and $1,000 for Roanoke River Partners to support trail and historic-preservation work.
Commissioners thanked presenters and said staff will review the requests as part of the county’s budget process. No formal appropriations were voted at the meeting; the board is scheduled to consider allocations during the FY2020 budget deliberations.
