Bertie County board narrows $83,419 budget gap, agrees to package of temporary cuts and follow-up meeting

Bertie County commissioners continued work to balance the coming fiscal-year budget and agreed in principle to a package of reductions intended to close an $83,419 shortfall. The board asked staff to produce a revised budget ordinance and scheduled a short follow-up meeting to finalize figures.

County Manager (Speaker 5) told the commissioners the group was choosing between three options that had been discussed previously: closing the gap of $81,004.19, a plan that would total roughly $206,000 with a 1% increase included, or an option closer to $330,000 for a 2% raise. He said staff had not yet finalized the budget ordinance and recommended the board review a revised ordinance before any final vote. "I think it would probably best if we at least come back 1 more time," the manager said.

The board focused on short-term, nonrecurring reductions to avoid drawing on unrestricted fund balance before the county audit is complete. Commissioners proposed cutting the governing body's travel budget by $8,169, reducing overtime by roughly $30,000 and trimming capital-outlay equipment lines from $10,000 to $5,000 in some departments. One commissioner suggested postponing a planned $54,000 website contract to the next fiscal year to reduce this year's obligations.

Members reiterated the timeline: the county has until June 30 to adopt a budget ordinance, and staff said a revised ordinance would be circulated for review. The board moved to adjourn at the end of the session; the motion passed by voice vote and the meeting was closed.