No change proposed in county's tax rate

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Jackson County's tax rate would remain at 48 cents per $100 valuation, according to the proposal presented Friday (June 1) by board Chairman and Budget Officer Jay Denton. That means a property owner with a tax valuation of $100,000 would pay $480 in county taxes next year.

"We worked a lot of hours and burned some midnight oil," Denton told the board and an audience made up mostly of county department heads.

Evidence of this year's growth rate has been seen in property values for new construction, said finance officer Darlene Fox. New construction has been estimated at $125,000,000 and is projected to bring in $579,360 next year, she said.

Non-recurring costs from the current budget included $300,000 in this year's budget for new emergency radio equipment, $450,000 to construct the transfer station on Mineral Springs and $90,000 for renovation of the former Western Builders site in Dillsboro, Fox said.

Balancing the coming year's county budget was also made easier by requests from those same department heads who "knew what we were facing," Fox said. "All the department heads really worked well with us."

County officials were facing projected expenditures of more than $1.8 million over expected revenues. The largest ticket items included a 35 percent jump in employee health insurance coverage and a 34 percent ($300,000) increase in the county's share of Medicare costs.

In addition, Gov. Mike Easley let it be known that nearly $260,000 in state reimbursements would most likely not be available next year for Jackson County. The funds, he said, would be used to ease the state's projected shortfall of some $850 million.

Next year's total budget in Jackson County is proposed to be $34,587,603, with a property tax valuation of $3,419,476,141, Denton said. The ad valorem tax revenue is projected to stand at $15,713,808.

"The largest net county cost in our FY 2002 budget is for human service functions, which include health services, social services, mental health, aging services, emergency food and shelter, veterans services, youth services, senior citizens service and outside agency funding," Denton said. Funds projected to be spent in these areas total $8,558,971.

Since 1995, Medicaid costs have increased by 58.18 percent. Medicaid funding from federal, state and county sources has increased by 55.59 percent, he said.

"The county's share of Medicaid expenditures increased to $1,600,000, which is $300,000 over last year," said Denton.

Employee salary line items in the proposed budget include a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment and the results of an independent salary and position study, Denton said.

"Upon the completion of the study, I am proposing (its) implementation," he said. "Jackson County should strive to preserve the competitive integrity of our employee compensation plan. The survey assessed the impact of the county's labor market and related economic conditions." The cost to implement the salary survey is projected to be $256,607, he said.

"Future consideration should be given to a career growth plan to be implemented on the employee's anniversary date," Denton said. "I would like to set a goal to implement an evaluation system and merit-based compensation plan."

Three new positions are also proposed in the budget, including one long discussed by this and previous boards of commissioners.

"The overall population for the county has increased 53.4 percent in a 30-year period. Due to the impact of the increase of population and development, I am strongly recommending the recruitment and employment of a professional planner," Denton said. A salary of $34,300 for a planner has been included in Denton's proposal.

Other proposed positions are that of a Department of Social Services clerk and a part-time building inspector.

Some $80,000 has been included for a position agreed upon this fiscal year - that of a professional county manager. A list of three finalists for the job is expected to be presented to commissioners for their consideration at tonight's (Thursday's) meeting of the board at 7 p.m.

Other budget highlights include $150,000 for the Economic Development Commission "to promote and stimulate economic development. This appropriation will allow us to place a continued focus on attracting investments and creating jobs for our citizens," said Denton.

One of the largest cuts from department requests was made with regard to the county's public school system. A 20 percent requested increase was reduced to a proposed 7 percent increase. Instead of receiving the requested $5,207,922, schools are projected to receive $4,635,617 next year.

Southwestern Community College is also recommended to receive a 7 percent increase - $754,119 - for current expenses, and a 5 percent increase - $224,963 - for capital outlay.

Public safety - which includes the Sheriff's Department, jail, Domestic Violence Task Force, emergency management, volunteer fire departments, inspections, ambulance and rescue squads - is projected to cost the county $4,214,222 next fiscal year. Some $904,836 is proposed to be spent on cultural and recreational endeavors, including the county's two public libraries, the recreation department, swimming pool, recreation center and various arts programs.

Though the county's debt service requirements have decreased this year, the proposed debt payment stands at $3,498,303, Denton said.

New in the coming year's budget is the creation of a capital reserve fund to "facilitate funding for continued improvements and facilities without compromising contingency and fund balance appropriation," he said. "I have recommended that 1/2 cent of the ad valorem tax rate be placed in a capital reserve fund for future improvements."

The amount to be included in this fund next year is proposed at $152,603.

Denton also told commissioners that he is recommending the landfill disposal fee remain at $60 per household and business. The tipping fee at the construction and demolition transfer station on Mineral Springs will be $45 a ton for all material except yard waste, which will be taken for $20 a ton, he said.

A $1.1 million transfer from the general fund to the landfill enterprise fund will be required to operate the solid waste removal program, said Denton. An additional $108,405 has been set aside for closure of the C&D landfill in Dillsboro. Due to an increase in gasoline prices, Denton said he would propose an increase for milage to 34.5 cents. Another $65,282 has been earmarked for the purchase of 45 new electronic voting machines.

Copies of the proposed budget are available in Chairman Denton's office and in the finance office, both located in the Justice Center; and at the county's two public libraries. A public hearing on the budget has been set for Tuesday, June 19, at 7 p.m. in Courtroom Room 1 at the Justice Center. North Carolina law requires that a balanced proposal be adopted by June 30.

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