-
It's summer, which means it's budget time for local governments.
It's summer, which means it's budget time for local governments.
Some local governments have already held both of their budget hearings, and some have held the first hearings, with the second ones scheduled for the upcoming weeks.
White County
The White County Board of Commissioners was to hold its first of two public hearings on a proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 17.
The roughly $27.9 million total proposed budget is about $2.77 million more than the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 amended budget, about an 11% increase.
County officials have said no increase in the millage rate is planned. If that holds, the rate would stay at 10.75 for the fourth consecutive budget cycle. Commissioners will consider formally setting the millage rate at a later date once tax digest values are finalized.
The second public hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, June 28, at the county administration board room (1235 Helen Highway in Cleveland). This will precede a calling meeting at 4:30 p.m. in which commissioners may vote to adopt the budget.
Copies of a proposed draft budget summary are available at www.whitecounty.net.
Subscriber exclusive: Read more information about the budget here.
City of Cleveland
The Cleveland City Council approved a Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget following a second public hearing on June 14.
The budget includes a roughly 4% increase over the current budget, but higher revenues are helping balance it without dipping into fund reserves. The total budget would rise $260,006 to $6,650,250 – a 4.07% increase, said City Administrator Tom O’Bryant.
General fund revenues are projected to rise about $105,000 to $3,850,360 – 2.8%. O’Bryant attributed the change to increases in sales tax and franchise fee collections, as well as federal CARES Act funds used in reserve.
For highlights on the expenditure side, general government administration rises 3.25% from $930,505 to $960,705.
The biggest factors in expenditure increases across most departments were related to higher costs for health insurance and computer software support, O’Bryant said.
Subscriber exclusive: Read more information about the budget here.
City of Helen
The city of Helen has unveiled its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
The Helen City Commission held its first of two public hearings on the budget June 15, though no one from the public commented. The proposed budget shows estimated general fund revenue of $3,493,229. Expenditures in the general fund include general overhead ($504,136), administration ($443,700), city commission ($13,800), judicial expense ($23,340), community relations ($15,500), fire department ($349,711), housing and development ($319,065), public works ($689,095), police department ($1,085,082) and solid waste ($49,800), for a total of $3,493,229.
A second budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, at 10 a.m. at Helen City Hall. City commissioners will consider a vote for formally adopt the budget at this meeting.
Subscriber exclusive: Read more information about the budget here.
Board of Education
The White County Board of Education held its first of two budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2022 on May 27.
There were no changes from the tentative budget board members approved at the April 29 school board meeting. The budget includes a $40 million general fund balanced by estimated revenue increases.
The general fund includes the bulk of day-today operations budget for instruction, transportation and administration.
Budgeted expenses are projected to rise by roughly $1.26 million, mostly attributed higher costs in contracted services, as well as an increase in the employer contribution to the state teacher retirement system and step increases in pay for certified and classified employees based on the state salary schedule. Also returning to the budget are costs that were reduced last school year due to the cancellation of in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as fuel and field trip expenses.
The second budget hearing is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22. A vote on approving the final budget is planned for 6 p.m. June 24.
Subscriber exclusive: Read more information about the budget here.