Davie County commissioners debate budget priorities, some propose tax rollback

Davie County commissioners used the March 17 session to press budget priorities and signal differing approaches ahead of April budget work. County staff briefed the board on the timeline for producing a recommended budget and solicited early input from commissioners.

Multiple commissioners said last year's increase went too far for some residents and urged staff to seek ways to reduce the tax rate or find other savings that do not reduce employee compensation. One commissioner publicly proposed a 3 to 4 cent rollback as a return of relief to taxpayers; another commissioner said any rollback should not be achieved on the backs of county employees.

Staff described departmental budget-submission timelines and suggested department requests are being reviewed; staff also noted some capital and utility projects (including the water plant) will affect the county's rate and budget calculations. Commissioners asked for a closer review of fourth-quarter spending and for options that prioritize employee pay while limiting overall spending growth.

Next steps: staff will continue to assemble department requests, refine recommended budget scenarios and return with options for commissioners to consider in April, including the impacts of any proposed rollback on services and debt-service obligations.

Quoted: "I feel like we need to owe that relief back to the taxpayer," one commissioner said, while others cautioned against cutting employee pay to fund a rollback.

No formal budget vote was taken; staff will return with detailed scenarios in advance of the statutory budget-adoption process.