By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County Commissioners adopted a $27.716,119 million budget Friday morning and property owners will not see an increase in the tax rate which will remain at 43 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
“There’s only been two millage rate increases in the past 25 years,” noted Commissioner Dwight Penland.
The 8 a.m. public hearing and meeting lasted about 20 minutes with no public comment and few spectators in attendance. The budget included a nod to county employees who will receive a 3 percent cost of living raise.
“This increase helps ensure the county persists in retaining and attracting the best individuals for position vacancies and creations,” County Manager Debbie Mauney explained. “All county department heads and office managers should be commended for their work to continue to minimize expenses while maintaining exemplary services to our county’s citizens.”
In presenting the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25, Mauney highlighted some of the tangible benefits citizens will see in the future which include funding from the newly adopted budget. She also took the opportunity to give county officials a pat on the back.
“ It reflects the positive involvement of department and agency leadership to accomplish the board of commissioners goals to assure prudent and best use of the financial resources of the county, while minimizing the tax burden on the taxpayer and maintaining a fund balance that ensures three months of uninterrupted governmental services,” said Mauney.
At the close of the current fiscal year, Clay County’s audit reflected a net increase of the general fund balance of $2,343,010, while outstanding debt decreased by 12.49 percent or $983,514, according to Mauney.
She also underscored the county’s efforts to update and expand infrastructure for an “ever growing population” and to entice economic development which Mauney said “are being born out through significant funding for projects in the county.”
Among the examples she offered were programs on the state-of-the art, public safety grade 911 Center which is slated to be operational by the fall of this year. Other examples included:
• Work at 1945 Highway US-64 BUS which is the future home of a new Emergency Management Facility which will include a training center for the Community Paramedic Program and a future farmer’s market. Through funding from Dogwood Health Trust, the county will proceed with engineering, design and pre-development documents for the EMS/Training Center. She noted that Congressman Edwards was instrumental in procuring $2.5 million for the project.
• The Farmer’s Market received $1 million in state legislative dollars with the help of our state representatives. The county has partnered with NC Extension to start up a tailgate farmer’s market until the covered market is complete. Currently, community groups have events: singings, festivals, etc. on the square. “The county has nowhere to host such events indoors and therefore they are canceled when/if the weather is bad. With food trucks, pop-up boutiques and a thriving community of artisans and entrepreneurs, there is great potential for economic development with this venture,” said Mauney.
• Work continues on the Department of Social Services Annex, which received a $500,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust. This will provide “a home to address the national epidemic of children being stranded in DSS offices, emergency rooms and other inappropriate locations when there isn’t an immediate placement available to them,” Mauney said. Both houses previously on the site were deemed unusable due to asbestos and other structural issues and have been removed from the property and funding to replace with a modular unit is being sought. Once completed, the facility will allow children to remain in their home community.
• Among other projects, Mauney said county leadership has been involved in developing a strategic plan for the opioid settlement dollars. Additionally plans are designed/ engineered and in the process of bidding out on a new Veteran’s Park for the county and a new splash pad to be completed in summer 2025 at the Rec Complex.
• The Clay County Comprehensive Plan has recently been updated and adopted by the Board of Commissioners. And, a master plan for the arena project has been completed and adopted. A Parks and Recreation Trust Fund application has been submitted to request $500,000 for the project. This proposed 65,000 square foot facility will allow for rodeo, barrel racing, roping, dog shows, country fairs, agriculture fairs, llama shows, mini horse shows, bullfighting, FFA shows, tractor pulls, remote car races, monster truck event, the circus, weddings, among other events and activities.
After adopting the budget ordinance commissioners had good words for county administration. “You all make us look good,” said Randy Nichols. “In reality you do all the hard work, we review and pass.”
In addition, commissioner approved a $1.331,923 contract for the Veterans Memorial Park Project at the ballfields.
Prior to the county’s hearing, the Water and Sewer District adopted a $1,186,547 budget for 2024-25. Director Dusty Beal noted that grants were critical in fulfilling the responsibility of the district and will allow them to continue upgrading the infrastructure.
County commission meetings are held the first Thursday of the month following the Water & Sewer District meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the courthouse.