No Tax Increase in Proposed County Budget
 
The proposed Bladen County budget for FY 2013-14 holds the current tax rate.
 
Greg Martin, Bladen County Manager, in his overview to County Commissioners is proposing a 1.2% increase over the current budget totalling $38,583,302.  Martin points out that the proposed budget includes increases in projections for significant sources of revenue such as property tax and sales taxes, as well as federal and state funding for the Department of Social Services.  However, according to Martin, there are revenue reductions for Home Health fees, grant projects and loan proceeds.  "We believe that revenue projections are reasonable, based on year-to-date collections and audited collections in FY12," according to the Manager.
 
Martin pointed out that the "financial sustainability continues to pose a real challenge for Bladen County.  Due to an increasing demand for services and ever increasing costs for personnel benefits and operating expenses, more revenue is needed each year to sustain the existing level of services."  He continues, "The proposed budget incorporates a "No Tax Increase" priority established by the Board of Commissioners during a planning meeting in February of this year.  While the budget does not include sufficient funding to meet all the needs identified in budget requests, it does include funding to substantially maintain existing service levels.  And, of particular importance, the budget maintains the current expense funding level for Bladen County Schools and provides a 4% increase in current expense funding for Bladen Community College," according to Martin.
 
The proposed budget includes a projected tax base of $2,561,626,887 which is about 1.2% over the current year budgeted tax base.  The proposed tax rate remains $.74 per $100 valuation.
 
Sales tax is estimated to generate $3,850,227, or approximately 9.98 percent of the County's General Fund budget.  This is a slight increase over the current year budgeted amount, according to Martin.
 
Property Taxes generate approximately one-half of the general fund revenue, followed by restricted intergovernmental revenues, sales tax and sales and services.
 
Expenditure Overview
 
Quoting from the Managers budget proposal, "The proposed budget provides funding to substantially maintain services at existing levels.  Operation budgets in many departments remain relatively flat, although additional funding is included for personnel related costs as well as jail related medical and food costs"
 
"Specific expenditures related savings in the proposed budget include debt service savings due to the recent bond refunding, retirement of installment-purchase debt, and the elimination of two vacant positions."
 
The proposed budget includes approximately $302,094.00 in additional funding to provide automatic step increases for eligible employees and full year funding for the two percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) that went into effect on January 1, 2013.
 
There is a slight increase in the cost of healthcare coverage for employees.
 
Capital projects requested by department heads has been reduced by the Manager.  The big items include 6 new cars for the Sheriffs Department at a cost of $28,000 each...10 had been requested.  $180,000 has been recommended for a new ambulance, $150.000 for Electronic Lock Upgrades at Bladen County schools and $352,042 for a new document system for the Department of Social Services. 
 
Fire District tax rates remain the same except for Elizabethown where a $.02 rate increase has been recommended. the additional funds are needed to replace a vehicle in an effort to retain a 5/6 ISO rating.
 
In his summary to Commissioners, Martin wrote, "The Bladen County FY 2013-14 Proposed Budget is hereby presented to the Board of Commissioners.  The proposed tax rate remains $.74 per $100 valuation.  The proposed budget maintains existing service levels but does not provide sufficient funding to meet the many needs identified in budget requests.  However, the budget seeks to strike a balance in terms of providing necessary services while maintaining a reasonable tax burden for the citizens of Bladen County."
 
Martin continued, "I would like to thank department managers for the leadership they provide to our many departments and agencies.  There are budgetary constraints each year, and I appreciate their efforts to work within conservative budgets to achieve our County's vision of "providing customer focused county services efficiently and responsibly."
 
County Commissioners have scheduled a meeting to continue their work on the proposed budget.  That meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m.
 
A Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2013 in the Bladen County Courthouse at 6:30 p.m.  The public is invited to attend.