Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Manager’s office unveiled its proposed budget of $ 149.9 million for fiscal year 2021-22 at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 3, 2021. The proposed budget is based on an adjusted tax rate of 66.5 cents, which corresponds to a decrease of 0.50 cents.
The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget on Monday, May 17th at 6:00 p.m. There are three ways the public can participate. Residents can make their comments in person at the Chatham County’s Agriculture and Convention Center at 1192 US 64 Business West, Pittsboro, or in person at the Wren Memorial Library at 500 North Second Avenue, Siler City. Residents can also provide their comments virtually by registering for the GoToWebinar and signing up to speak online using the public submission form, which will be available May 10. Individuals have three minutes to speak and are asked to send the case officer written comments to the Board of Directors so that all comments can be included in the official minutes.
Copies of the proposed budget for FY22 are available on the county website. Printed copies will be available in the three branches of the district library by the end of May 4th.
“We have been discussing the need to be properly prepared for growth for a number of years. As a county, we are now at the point where the long-awaited rapid growth and development is taking place, ”said Dan LaMontagne, manager of Chatham County. “Throughout the budget, you will find that our focus is on making sure development is well monitored and in line with the long-term vision Plan Chatham has set for Chatham County.”
“Last year we faced a lot of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and we have been cautiously forecasting our earnings while making careful decisions about spending,” added LaMontagne. “This year, we believe our careful planning has positioned the county well to recover from the economic downturn. Revenue for the current 2020-21 fiscal year is expected to meet or exceed budget, and total revenue for the 2021-22 fiscal year is expected to increase. April celebrated the 250th anniversary of Chatham County. We look back gratefully and look ahead with anticipation and confidence. “
With an income-neutral property tax rate of 62.29 cents per USD 100 valuation, it is recommended that the district’s property tax rate be reduced by ½ cents from 67 cents per USD 100 valuation to 66.5 cents. The recommended tax rate aims in part to meet the increased service demands of several agencies and departments within the General Fund. The county real estate revaluation confirmed a resilient real estate market in Chatham County, reflecting demand outpacing supply of upgraded real estate and development growth. Property values are expected to increase 14% from the 2021 financial year budget estimate for the 2022 financial year, mainly due to residential development.
Property values are expected to rise 14%, but the property tax rate will only decrease by less than 1%.
Most Chatham residents can expect higher property tax this year.
The proposed budget will fund Chatham County Schools’ request for an additional $ 2.4 million to support the opening of Seaforth High School in September and an additional $ 180,000 for the teacher allowance to keep Chatham schools competitive with the surrounding area Maintain the school system. The proposed budget also includes an additional $ 5.2 million debt service to cover payments for the new high school.
An important recommendation for the non-school budget items is the addition of 31 new posts. “We can no longer delay responding to the increased demand for services that comes with growth,” said LaMontagne. New positions are recommended in Building Inspection, Central Permit, Deeds, Water Basin Protection, Management and Information Systems (MIS), Facilities, Social Services, Parks and Recreation, Telecommunications, Pre-Trial Release and Animal Services Detention Center, and Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Agencies .
The district’s focus on sustainability is evident in the creation of a new sustainability department that will include funding for charging stations for electric vehicles and adding solar panels to existing buildings in the district. LaMontagne stated, “Chatham County has always valued our natural environment and resources, and this is reflected in our operations, policies and practices. With the dedication and support of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, the recommended budget is maintaining this standard by taking additional measures to further ensure sustainable operations. “
According to the instructions of the Board of Commissioners, Article 46 sales tax revenue goes into the school budget, as well as into affordable housing, parks and recreational facilities, and the maintenance of agriculture.
Other important new items in the proposed budget are:
· $ 81,531 to implement external backup storage backups and a disaster recovery plan for the county network. This allows MIS to have secure and consistent backups to enable faster recovery of the county network in the event of another network failure in the future.
- Another $ 28,000 for the revision of the Farmland Preservation and Open Space Plan. This work is being carried out by the Cooperative Extension and the Soil and Water Conservation District.
- The Southwest District Park hiking trail is expanding to include an additional half-mile of hiking for $ 41,500.
A $ 75,000 allocation will go to Chatham Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to provide financial support to small businesses across the county that are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recommended budget also includes a 2% increase in the county’s contribution to the health plan and a 3% increase in salary increases for employees. It also includes a six-monthly implementation of the adjustments recommended in the salary study for the 2021 financial year. “While it will take a lot of expense to continue to achieve our goals, competitive salaries are essential to retain and attract talented, professional employees,” said LaMontagne. “This is an important investment to manage the growth to come.”
The proposed budget includes some changes to the district fees to cover certain services:
- Building Inspections: Set a minimum single-family home fee, and increase the base approval fee and re-inspection fee to cover the cost of inspections.
- Utilities: Increase fees to cover the time and material costs of performing fire flow tests, gauges, standard faucet, hydrostatic pressure test, and bacteriological sampling on new builds.
Chatham County is served by 11 fire departments that are funded by separate property taxes levied by the county. Three fire departments have applied for an increase in their tax rate.
- The Bennett Fire Department suggested an increase of two cents. The increase would bring their tax rate to 11 cents, which is four cents below the 15 cents permitted under general law. This increase would be used to add a part-time worker to assist with the department’s upcoming ISO exam and increase the level of service for the citizens of their district.
- The Pittsboro Fire Department proposed a 0.4 cents increase in the Circle City Fire Department. This increase would bring their tax rate to 12.65 cents, which is 2.35 cents below the 15 cents allowed under the General Law. This increase would be used to fund the upgrade / renovation of all three fire stations, add three full-time shift workers and an administrative assistant, and cover the increased exam and attorney fees.
- The Silk Hope Fire Department suggested an increase of 0.4 cents. This increase would bring their tax rate to 8.25 cents, which is 6.75 cents below the general law maximum of 15 cents. This increase would be used for salary increases and the addition of a part-time worker.
The Committee of Commissioners will hold a series of working meetings on the budget following the public hearings. Under state law, they must approve the budget by June 30th at the latest.