McDowell Commissioners get proposed budget; property tax rate stays the same – McDowell News

On Monday, County Manager Ashley Wooten gave the McDowell County Commission a proposed $40.5 million budget for fiscal year 2017-2018.

And for the 14th year in row, the proposed county budget doesnt call for a property tax rate hike. The countys property tax rate will stay at 55 cents per $100 valuation, the same rate that it has been since fiscal year 2004-2005.

Wooten formally presented the commissioners with the 2017-2018 budget an hour prior to the start of the regular meeting for May. State law requires that recommended budgets be presented to the local governments in North Carolina and that the recommendation must be balanced. Counties like McDowell operate on a fiscal year that begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

The recommended 2017-2018 budget of $40,562,169 represents a decrease of $286,345 from the current budget of $40,848,514. Wooten said the reason for the decrease is the day care subsidy expenditure (and its corresponding revenue) in the county Department of Social Services will no longer pass through the countys books.

Therefore, the total budget for the next budget year is a decrease from the current budget, he said. Were not laying off people. Were not closing buildings or anything like that.

County officials said McDowells taxes and fees will continue to remain low. McDowells property tax rate is 14 cents below the average. Likewise, the county employs 41 fewer workers than the average for counties in North Carolina. The property tax revenues are $9,508,713 below the average.

The proposed county budget for next fiscal year contains more money for the school system (including an increase in teacher supplements) and McDowell Technical Community College. The proposed budget includes a pay increase for the 341 county employees.

Human services (DSS) takes up 28 percent of the overall county budget. Education (the school system and McDowell Tech) comprise 25 percent while public safety (the Sheriffs Office, EMS and fire departments) also comprise 25 percent. General county government covers 12 percent while environmental protection takes up 5 percent of the county budget. The rest is devoted to cultural and recreation (3 percent), debt service (2 percent) and economic and industrial development (3 percent).

In his presentation to the board, Wooten talked about what the countys budget will accomplish.

Under the proposed budget, several county positions will be upgraded from part-time to full-time. The county will continue to budget money for the third phase of the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway. There is also $80,290 for overtime pay for EMS workers and $11,812 in overtime for communications workers.

I think we provide good service for the people, said Wooten. We work really hard.

The school system is recommended to get $8,558,298 in county money, which is an increase of $105,658, or 1.25 percent, from the current fiscal year. That includes both the current expense, which are the day-to-day operating needs, and capital outlay, which are building and equipment needs. There is also $84,000 for the teacher supplements.

McDowell Tech is recommended to get $1,131,890 in county money, which is an increase of $13,974, or 1.25 percent, from the current fiscal year. That includes both current expense and capital outlay.

The county also provides money to a wide array of other agencies. These include the Clerk of Courts office, the volunteer fire departments, New HOPE of McDowell, the N.C. Forest Service, the Health Coalition, Vaya Health, the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce, the medical examiner, Historic Carson House, the TDA, the Rescue Squad, MACA, the Watershed Commission, Freedom Life Ministries, the National Guard, Relay for Life and others.

More information should be available for public inspection at the County Administration Building. The commissioners can make any changes to the proposed budget before adopting it by July 1.

Its now your budget, said Wooten to the commissioners. You can change whatever you want.

The commissioners will likely hold a series of meetings as they work out the budgets details. They plan to meet with the McDowell Fire Commission on Thursday. They may talk with other department heads about the budget for next fiscal year. A public hearing will be held at the regular June meeting.

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McDowell Commissioners get proposed budget; property tax rate stays the same - McDowell News