By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Commissioners received the proposed 2018-19 budget on Monday night from Bladen County Manager Greg Martin. He said the budget was developed to provide funding for core services addressing the needs of Bladen County citizens.
“You know 80 percent of those services are related to public safety, education and human services,” said Martin.
He said a number of issues are impacting the County’s budget. They include staffing and operating expenses that are related to the new detention and law enforcement center, funding for county facilities and Bladen County Schools.
“It does seem like we have more external threats in the community than we have had in recent years—the water discoloration issue at White Lake, the issue with GenX and Chemours, and the nuisance hog farm litigation. So, I think it is important for us as County Commissioners to remain mindful of those situations,” said Martin.
He told the board the general fund budget decreased slightly by 0.54 percent to $43,019,154 compared to the 2018 budget. Martin said the reason for the decrease is the fact some programs at the Department of Social Services which were once supported or administered by the County are not longer being paid directly by the County.
Martin pointed out that nearly one-half of the county’s revenues are generated by property taxes. The rest of the revenue sources include sales taxes, other taxes and licenses, restricted intergovernmental funds, permits and fees, sales and services, interest earnings, miscellanies and fund balance appropriations.
The budget does not include any property tax increases for the 2018-19 budget year and the proposed budget carries a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment for county employees. The budget will also include funding for four new full-time detention officers. Martin also told the board that the State Health Plan is projected to increase by 3 percent next year and the county’s retirement system contribution is expected to increase from 7.57 percent to 7.82 percent for general employees and from 8.25 percent to 8.50 for law enforcement.
Bladen County Schools has requested $6,938,397 which reflects a 2 percent increase of $134,211 over this year and $251,503 previously reserved for debt service. Martin said the Sale tax for capital improvements is $1.5 million and includes $900,000 reserved for for bonds, $335,497 budgeted for capital needs and $168,000 for the second phase of a laptop project for middle schools, and $104,968 for QSCB.
Bladen Community College will receive $984,963 which reflects a 2.7 percent increase over 2018 and capital outlay for the second of a three year campus wide restroom renovation project in the amount of $67,000.
The board will meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, for a budget workshop.
In other business, the Commissioners presented a proclamation for EMS Week. Accepting the proclamation were David Howell, Samantha Long, Rebecca Lewis and B. J. Odom.
*The Board tabled appointments to the Keep Bladen Beautiful and Kelly Water Dike and Drainage District Committee.
*The board approved an addendum to the 2018-19 School Health Agreement and a Letter of Agreement with Bladen County Public Schools to begin August 1, 2018.
*The county accepted a bid of $7,300 for a county owned property on Lloyd Road. The county foreclosed on the property and had incurred expenses of $7,300, according to Bladen County Tax Administrator Renee Davis.
*The board met in closed session to discuss matters of client-attorney privilege and industrial and economic development. No action was taken in open session.
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