The Vance County budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, a grand total of $56,131,498, was adopted unanimously at the June 4, 2018, Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting.
According to County Manager Jordan McMillen, despite a lack of increase in the general fund tax rate or water rates, revenues will increase slightly over prior years with property tax and sales tax providing an additional $934,675 in revenue. This increase is due to natural growth and other considerations as outlined below:
Property Taxes – Increase of $607,938 or 2.7% due to natural growth. The tax collection rate increased from 96.39% to 96.65% which had a positive impact of $62,000 on the tax revenue; 1 cent on tax rate totals $257,523.
Sales Taxes – Projected 3.7% or $326,737 increase over FY 18 budget which is attributable to natural growth and an expansion of the items and services currently taxed. The county continues to receive sales tax proceeds from the states Article 44 redistribution which began in FY 17. It is estimated the county will receive $262,186 in FY 19 from this distribution which must be designated for economic development, schools or the community college.
Ambulance Revenue – Decrease of $115,000. Revenues remain consistent with the levels from previous in-house collections and are adjusting down based upon increases in previous two years from catching up current year collections. Changes in Medicaid payments and state personal income tax laws impacting debt setoff collections have had a negative impact as well. As per recommendation from billing company, EMS billing fees change from set fee based upon type of service (i.e. ALS, BLS, etc.) to a percentage of the allowable Medicare reimbursable rate and includes billing insurance for supplies utilized.
Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Revenue – level at $140,000. The county receives 85% of the net revenue from the ABC profits.
Overall state DSS revenues are projected to decrease $2,323,591 while federal and local DSS revenues remain level. The decrease is due to the state taking over payment of the daycare subsidies and Medicaid transportation programs with a minor decrease in foster care/ adoption expenditures due to a lower number of children in the program.
Building inspection revenues – level at $300,000. Residential development is rebounding, which has helped this revenue remain stable with the recent decline in solar farm activity. The budget includes minor additions and changes to the inspection fee schedule.
Jail Revenues – Increase of $63,000 due to jail commissary commissions
School Resource Officer Revenue – Increase of $72,639 due to adding 5th SRO position and associated costs. This cost is paid for 100% by Vance County schools.
Lease Proceeds Revenue – Decrease of $19,000
Register of Deeds Revenue – Increase of $12,500; Animal Services revenue increases $7,900 due to the higher number of adoptions and includes fee schedule additions to establish fees for various animal types and for additional microchip service.
Investment earnings – Increase of $5,500
Revenues from other funds decreased $119,082 primarily due to transferring less sales tax dollars into the general fund to fund school capital outlay projects.
Appropriations from fund balance – $1,455,008 compared to $1,159,957 in FY 17-18. We anticipate spending approximately $500,000 of this due to pay go in the CIP and to allow a portion of fund balance to be spent.