03/29/2024
Spread the love

By Erin Smith

The work on the county budget continued on Monday night as the Bladen County Board of Commissioners held a third budget workshop. The Commissioners reviewed requests from the Board of Education and Bladen County EMS.

Bladen County Manager Greg Martin told the board the Bladen County Board of Education and Bladen Community College have submitted budget proposals. Martin said representatives from the college and the Board of Education will present those budget requests at the next regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 7th.

Martin began the evening by reviewing the budget request from the Bladen County Board of Education. He said the projections received from the Board of Education for the upcoming year shows expenditures of $8.4 million which is an increase over this year’s expenditures of $7.2 million.

“Based on the projections, if they receive the same amount of money that they did this year for next year, they would have  deficit of $1.7 million,” said Martin of the Board of Education.

He explained there are a couple of items in the Board of Education request for the Commissioners to consider.

“You recall this year we reserved $251,000 from their current expense appropriation and set it aside in a line item for future capital improvement,” said Martin.

The reason for that was that a capital project seemed to be looming but now there is nto much discussion regarding a capital project. Martin said contained in the Board of Education’s projections for next year, they would like to receive the $250,000 that was withheld this fiscal year as well as an additional $250,000 next year and $251,000 on an ongoing basis. Martin said that would reduce the deficit number to $1.5 million.

“As we better understand where the school system is with its plans on a capital project, that may give us a better idea about that $251,000,” said Martin.

Commissioner Ophelia Munn-Goins asked about the reason for the increases. Martin replied there were two primary reasons which include for staff positions and a human resources position and increase in the appropriation to Charter Schools.

Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson said it is his understanding that the State of North Carolina is cutting funding for Central Office positions and Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor is wanting to maintain the Central Office.

Martin said this year was the first year of incremental reductions and this year is going to see more reductions.

County Commissioner Chairman Ray Britt said during a committee meeting with Board of Education representatives, the Commissioners inquired about the increase in the school system budget when they are consolidating a school, expenses have increased and they are attempting to maintain the current staff level.

Martin also noted the bond payment for the two high schools will be retired in the year 2021. He also noted the projection is that the school system will lose 182 more students this year to Charter Schools. The payment Bladen County Schools must make to the Charter Schools is projected to be $942,000 for fiscal year 2018-19.

Martin also reviewed the North Carolina General Statute 115C-218.35 regarding school buildings which are taken out of service and Charter School use.

The statute reads:

“At the request of the charter school, the local board of education of the local school administrative unit in which the charter school will be located shall lease any available building or land to the charter school unless the board demonstrates that the lease is not economically or practically feasible or that the local board does not have adequate classroom space to meet its enrollment needs. Notwithstanding any other law, a local board of education may provide a school facility to a charter school free of charge; however, the charter school is responsible for the maintenance of and insurance for the school facility. If a charter school has requested to lease available buildings or land and is unable to reach an agreement with the local board of education, the charter school shall have the right to appeal to the board of county commissioners in which the building or land is located. The board of county commissioners shall have the final decision-making authority on the leasing of the available building or land.”

Chairman Britt also said that the County Commissioners are also exploring ways to request the General Assembly allow public school systems to build new schools using the same laws and guidelines as Charter Schools. He noted if that is possible, then it would greatly reduce the financial burden on school systems to construct facilities.

Martin updated the board on discussions county staff have had with Bladen County EMS regarding the purchase of an ambulance and QRV vehicle. Bladen County Emergency Medical Services Director David Howell addressed the Commissioners and told them the QRV they are seeking to replace has 157,000 miles and is 2008 Suburban.

“We use this vehicle not only for EMS but also for Emergency Services pulling the Health Department Trailer and some of his (Emergency Manager Bradley Kinlaw) equipment,” said Howell.

He was asked if one new ambulance was enough he replied yes. It was suggested to consider creating a rotating system for replacing EMS vehicles on some type of regular basis as they currently do for Sheriff’s Office.

No votes were taken during Monday’s meeting. The Commissioners meet again for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, May 7, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Bladen County Courthouse.

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