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Commissioners begin planning 2000-01 budget

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Though they are still unsure exactly how much money they'll have next year, county commissioners used most of Friday (March 3) figuring out how best to spend it.

The budget retreat in Cashiers last week took on a conservative tone as board members put financial restraints on spending in areas such as education, economic development and employee retirement programs.

Due to significant increases over the past two years and a debt incurred partially due to school construction and improvements, board Chairman Jay Denton proposed a 5 percent increase in school funding during the 2000-01 budget year. Such an increase next year would follow an 18.28 percent increase in the 1998-99 budget and a 13.45 percent increase last year.

With unanimous agreement to spend an extra 5 percent next year on education, which would be an additional $227,000 operational funds, commissioners prepared themselves for criticism from the school board.

"(The school board) will try to make us look like the villains," said Commissioner Conrad Burrell. "But if this is what we decide, then we need to stick with it come hell or high water."

Chairman Denton, a former school system teacher, worried that school board members might "try to pull at heart strings" by threatening to cut teachers and programs for students. "They won't threaten to cut administrators," he said. "They'll say they'll have to cut teachers."

"It's not our decision where they cut," Commissioner Roberta Crawford said. "We shouldn't take the heat for what they do with their money."

On a similar note, board members expressed no support for the recently-requested teacher supplements.

"I don't see the need right now," Commissioner Franz Whitmire said. "I still see too much waste in (the school board) budget."

All agreed they'd fulfilled their campaign promises to improve funding for education. In addition to last year's operating increase, millions of dollars have been borrowed to improve all but the county's newest school, they said.

"The governor raised teacher pay; we fixed the facilities," Denton said.

Whitmire pointed out that not only is the Hunt Administration adjusting salaries for North Carolina's educators, but teachers can also increase their pay by earning post-graduate degrees. According to the N.C. Excellent Schools Act, teachers can increase their pay 6.25 percent by earning a degree above their bachelor's.

Suggestions that Jackson County teachers might leave work here for other school systems that offer supplements brought a negative reaction from the board's teacher.

"I can go to Buncombe County and teach and get a supplement," Commissioner Stacy Buchanan said. "That's a choice I make. But as long as we provide a quality of life benefit, teachers are going to stay."

Addressing non-county agency funding, board members agreed to hold the line on the Economic Development Commission, Smoky Mountain Mental Health and the Volunteer Center. The EDC, which was recently approved for self-control, received $69,703 this year, a 66 percent decrease in funding from 1998-99. With funds contributed from Dillsboro and Sylva, and investment earnings, the department's total revenues this year began at $112,930. Smoky Mountain Mental Health received $100,000 this year, while the Volunteer Center received $9,600.

Commissioners also agreed that changes are needed in the health insurance system for retired county employees. The shift, they said, will be to put all retirees on the same plan, which could result in reduced benefits for some.

Other highlights from Friday's retreat included:

  • County employees are proposed to receive a 5 percent pay increase broken down with a 1 percent 401(K) retirement, 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment and a 2.5 percent career growth increase. Elected officials, including commissioners, the sheriff and the register of deeds, will also receive the increase.
  • Salary adjustments were recommended for the Transit director, but not for the Department of Social Services' director or the Veterans' Services director.
  • A new position was approved in the maintenance department, while discussion of employing a new ordinance officer is continuing. Past plans to employ a planner or grant writer jointly with the town of Sylva were rejected. No new positions were recommended in the recreation department.
  • A 5 percent increase in funding to Southwestern Community College was recommended.
  • The county's fire departments are also slated to receive a 5 percent increase.
  • Board members set in motion plans to find a new location for the Sylva Rescue Squad. The current headquarters near Sylva's west entrance has received criticism from rescue squad members for being too small and too close to a busy Main Street.
  • Ambulance contracts with both WestCare and the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad will need to be renegotiated this year.
  • Commissioners said they hope to set aside funds in the coming year's budget to address problems at Andrews Park on Lake Glenville.
  • Funds ($80,000) that had been set aside for a county government annex in Cashiers are now proposed to go to the Cashiers CDC. An additional $10,000 was recommended to go to the Cashiers Public Library.
  • Commissioners addressed the need for a new construction and demolition landfill. Current estimates say the facility in Dillsboro has less than two years remaining.
  • A tax value increase of between 30 and 40 percent is still being projected following the revaluation under way in the tax assessor's office.
  • Commissioners must adopt the 2000-01 budget by June 30.

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