Halifax County Manager Dia Denton presented a proposed $64,806,460 budget to commissioners Monday evening.
Only board Chair Vernon Bryant commented on the financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year after Denton delivered her budget message. “I just want to thank her and her staff—all the names that she mentioned and even some of the ones that she didn’t mention—for all their hard work. It took a team to put all this together and we certainly appreciate it. We’re fortunate and lucky to have a management team like that under the leadership of our county manager.”
The proposed budget maintains a tax rate of 70 cents per $100 of assessed value and carries a fund balance of $56,116,285. The unassigned fund balance is $23,810,355, which can be used for additional non-recurring needs or to respond to emergencies and disasters.
(See the public notice that provides more information on the upcoming budget public hearing)
This proposal allocates $4,690,424 from the fund balance for the next fiscal year's approved capital expenditures for county departments. An additional $685,000 of the fund balance will cover the costs of one-time bonuses to full-time and eligible part-time employees. “The commissioners graciously approved awarding bonuses in the amounts of $1,250 to full-time employees and $750 to eligible part-time employees that are payable in July,” Denton said. “This bonus is just one more example of the Board's commitment to showing appreciation for county staff.”
To address the increased workload on the sheriff's office of transporting involuntarily committed patients to and from mental health treatment facilities, the budget funds a pilot program to contract with a private company for this service. The sheriff's office averages at least one IVC transport per day, Denton said, explaining that the pilot program will provide relief to sheriff's office personnel, allowing them to remain in Halifax County to answer calls for service.
Halifax Community College, Halifax County Schools, the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, and Weldon City Schools will each receive $223,180 for capital needs.
Denton said the proposed budget continues county services at efficient and effective levels and is based on an estimated property tax base of $4,975,269,130 and a tax collection rate of 98.2 percent.
Other budget highlights
Absorbs a 3 percent increase in property and liability insurance coverage.
Continues to provide a competitive benefits package, which includes 100 percent paid premiums for health coverage for each full-time employee who participates in the County Wellness Program.
Provides a 5 percent cost of living adjustment for all full-time employees and a 10 percent cost of living increase for law enforcement and detention center employees.
Maintains the longevity pay program, which the county manager described as a vital employee retention tool to reward long-term, full-time employees.
Funds the pay-for-performance evaluation plan.
Includes funds to support both economic development and contingency operations.
Adds $100,000 to the capital reserve fund.
Absorbs a $600,000 increase to fund all expenses related to operating the Central Communications Center. In previous fiscal years, budgets received this amount of revenue from the municipalities that operated police departments.
Public Utilities
Denton said the proposed budget provides funding to create three new positions in the Public Utilities Department.
“In February, Halifax County experienced a significant interruption to its water distribution system,” she said. “A combination of events including several inches of ice and snow, well-below freezing temperatures, and cuts to water lines made by fiber installers created a nightmare situation for many of the water customers in the western end of the county.”
For two weeks, most of the affected customers did not have adequate water pressure and, in many cases, had no water at all. “Staff worked day and night to restore service and stretched the crews to their limits. Staff learned valuable lessons and are implementing improvements to communications and response.”
By paying off some debt in the enterprise fund early, the realized savings from fewer interest payments will allow water fees to remain at current levels, Denton said. Additional realized savings provided enough funding to add three additional positions in the Public Utilities Department, adding a second crew to address taps, repairs and ongoing maintenance of the county's water system.
Other comments
Denton credited the teamwork that led to creating the annual budget, citing all departments and crediting the Finance Department as the backbone. “Our Finance Department has been the recipient of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Award for the past 26 years in a row, which continues to show the professional and exceptional level of service we strive to provide to our citizens for a reasonable property tax rate. Our citizens are fortunate to have such dedicated county staff whose commitment is proven on a daily basis.”
She also noted that this is Finance Director Mary Duncan’s final budget before she retires on June 30. “Mary set a standard for expectations and accountability in her department that is demonstrated now and will carry on after she retires. Her ability to communicate beyond spreadsheets and journal entries, combined with a healthy dose of sarcasm, keeps the management team and the Finance Department staff on its toes. Mary leads by example, and she is leaving big shoes to fill.”
Denton said the county continues to have positive movement in economic development efforts. “I applaud the board of commissioners' forward-thinking and proactive approach in continuing to position the county to create more jobs that pay a living wage in the future.”
