Proposed County Budget Presented at Commissioners' Meeting

The Wilkes County Commissioners met yesterday morning for their first regular meeting of the month.  As the new fiscal year begins July 1, the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for Wilkes was on the agenda. County Manager John Yates delivered the recommendations for the new budget.  The budget was submitted with a proposed tax rate of 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.  Appropriations for the Wilkes County School System is $14.8 million including $11.7 million for current expense/operations and $650,000 for capital outlay and improvements.  This school system appropriation reflects a 3 percent increase in operational funding and an 8 percent increase in capital funding.  The proposed budget for the schools also includes a one-time $500,000 to help with the roof replacement at Mulberry & Wilkesboro Elementary Schools.  As for Wilkes Community College, the budget recommendation is $3.8 million which is a 3 percent increase from the current $3.3 million.  As County Manager Yates explained, a 2 percent salary increase has been recommended for all full-time employees which equates to an increase of $375,000 including benefits.  The DSS appropriation increases $221,000 to $6.5 million.  The county pays nearly 36 percent of the DSS 15.8 million dollar budget.  The Sales Tax Revenue is budgeted at $14.3 which reflects a 6.8 percent increase over last year's projected collections.  The increase is projected due to new sales tax laws and a small amount of projected growth.  The Airport budget is recommended at $3.6 million, the Landfill at $2.6 million, Sheriff's Dept at just over $5 million with the Jail at $3.2, and EMS at $4.3 million.  Two fire districts requested an increase.  Austin requested 5 cents increase for equipment and facilities and Champion requested a 3 cents increase to build a fire station.  County Commissioners will hold a budget work session next week and a Public Hearing on the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the County has been set for May 17th at 6:30 in which the public can respond.