Halifax County commissioners this morning approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The new budget goes into effect July 1 and will remain in effect until June 30 of 2021.
With one commissioner absent this morning, the $49,956,893 financial plan passed unanimously on a motion by Linda Brewer and a second by Marcelle Smith.
Commissioners also passed the accompanying schedule of fees for the next fiscal year.
(The schedule of fees may be viewed by clicking this link for part one and this link for part two. The entire budget may be viewed by clicking on this link.)
In a meeting held using the GoToMeeting format to comply with social distancing and limits on gatherings due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, County Manager Tony Brown told the board he appreciated those involved in planning the budget, a process that began in September.
They included the tax assessor and tax collector for maintaining a 97 percent collection rate and the sheriff’s office and legal staff.
“The budget was based on our needs, not wants,” Brown said. “Thank you as a board for getting us through this process. Thank you for making the move to support our employees.”
The budget maintains the county’s longevity pay pay program and provides a 2 percent cost of living adjustment.
It includes a step increase for full-time employees as well as a bonus for full-time and regular part-time employees.
In addition, the budget funds the county’s pay for performance evaluation plan.
Another part of the budget which affects employees is it continues to provide 100 percent paid premiums for each full-time employee who participates in the county’s wellness program.
The budget absorbed a 14.5 percent premium increase to maintain employee health coverage.
Board Chair Vernon Bryant thanked his colleagues for the work they put in on drafting the fiscal plan. “I’ve served on boards a long time, but I have never served on a board any more better than this board, the Halifax County Board of Commissioners.”
Bryant thanked Brown for his leadership. “When it comes to operations, you make it happen.”
Brewer said she was pleased the county was doing something to help retain employees. “From the moment I came to this board we talked about doing something for the employees and finally we can. Maybe we can retain these good employees rather than train them and send them up the road. I am especially proud of what’s happening for those people this year.”
Commissioner Rives Manning said he was appreciative of the leadership the staff has demonstrated, “for us, all the taxpayers in the county.”
Smith said of the measures helping employees, “I don’t want it to stop here. Our economy is kind of an unknown here right now as related to the pandemic but hopefully we’ll be able to rebound from that and we’ll be able to go forward from that and hopefully we’ll be able to do more.”
Smith said he has seen several people who have worked for the county move on. “A lot of it had to do with what they were able to make. I think we’re paving a good way.”
