Increased funding for education and emergency services in Greene County's budget
Snow Hill - County Manager Kyle J. DeHaven presented the Greene County Commissioners with the proposed 2024 budget for review and consideration. After a public hearing, the commissioners voted four to one in a recommendation of the proposed budget, with Commissioner Derek Burress as the dissenting opinion. The budget outlines several key highlights aimed at addressing various county needs and initiatives.
To ensure a balanced budget, the proposed tax rate of $.786 per $100 valuation will remain the same. Additionally, an EMS Tax of $.04 per $100 valuation is being introduced.
“This new tax is to offset the increased cost of EMS service and the increased number of stations to provide EMS Service at the recently attained Paramedic level,” said DeHaven in a memo to the commissioners.
The estimated valuation for real and personal property is approximately $1,142,441,710, with a projected collection rate of 98%. This generates an estimated net tax revenue of $10,350,000, which includes the current year's Ad Valorem and NCVTS Ad Valorem taxes.
The budget incorporates the addition of four new positions in the Department of Social Services (DSS) to support Medicaid expansion. A 5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is included to combat inflation, aligning with the recently released increase in the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 4.9%.
Notable changes in funding allocations include maintaining the same level of funding for Lenoir Community College as the previous fiscal year, while increasing funding for Greene County Schools by 10.4% to $2,885,000. Additionally, funding for Neuse Regional Libraries has increased by 3% to $143,685.
The budget outlines the continued initiative of implementing an 8-year replacement plan for all county vehicles, including 11 purchases. These include four vehicles allocated to the Sheriff's Department, one each for the Communications, Health, and DSS Departments, as well as two new vehicles for Water, one for Landfill, and one for Transportation.
Emphasizing the importance of local fire departments in the first responder program, the budget allocates $15,000 for their participation, involving six departments. Furthermore, the proposed budget includes annual dues to be part of the Global TransPark Economic Development Region.
Progress is being made on the construction of a third EMS station, funded through the multiyear Capital Project Fund. State Capital Infrastructure Funds totaling $400,000 have been appropriated, with an additional $650,000 from State Capital Infrastructure Funds, $350,000 of which can be used towards the facility.
“This facility continues the County’s initiative to improve Emergency Services for citizens,” said DeHaven.
The budget recommends an increase in water rates for Greene County, marking the first adjustment in five years. Residential rates are recommended to increase by 6.89%, commercial rates by 8.87%, institutional rates by 8.3%, and bulk rates by 8.81%. These adjustments aim to offset the impact of two 6.5% increases from GUC and other rising costs of operation.
Similarly, sewer rates in Greene County, which have not increased in three years, are proposed to rise by 6% for residential customers and 8% for prisons. These changes are necessary to counter the increased charges for sewer services from the Town of Farmville and other cost escalations.
Additionally, an increase in Solid Waste Fees is being requested, with a $5.00 rise in the availability fee and a $5.00 increase in the user fee. The availability fee is applied uniformly across the county, while the user fee is applicable only to the unincorporated areas of Greene County and incorporated municipalities that lack their own municipal solid waste collection systems.
“The proposed Budget continues a path of conservative progress for Greene County Government,” said DeHaven. “The County continues to see the return on its investments, both Tangible and Intangible.”
Considering economic forecasts, the budget accounts for a projected decline in consumer spending.
Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to provide free, hyper-local news to Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times.
We provide this by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local news.
Please consider supporting Neuse News with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.
