AG 1997 05 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BUDGET MESSAGE TO:. Cabarrus Citizens and Taxpayers Board of County Commissioners DATE: May 12, 19~7 ' FROM: Frank W. Clifton, Jr. County .Manager SUBJECT: Proposed FY 97-98 County Budget The proposgd County General Fund Budget for FY 97-98 totals $ 85,353,406 and represents a total decrease of 3.10 % below the amended budget of FY 96-97 which totaled $87,995,643. The proposed properly'tax rate of $ 0.65 includes an increase · of $0.04 to provide for the payment of debt service on the $ 49,000,000 voter approved school facility bonds sold during the past fiscal year. The tax rate is based on an estimated 'total valuation of property for the purposes of taxation of $6,400,000,000 at an estimated collection rate of 97.67%. The ~ew budget reflects the realities.of ~ voter approved school s~,stem capital' improvements program; a change in the method of delivery for local public health services; a change in location for county health services, social services and mental health; a change in location of the county% animal control facilities and genera! services maintenance operationsi the establishment of a new branch library in Mt. Pleasant; the initial stages, ora new c6unty park near Central Cabarrus High School with school-park projects at Wec[dington Hills E!ementary, Rocky River Elementary, the new Concord Middle School, the new Winecoff Elementary and the new Aycock Elementary School; along with a number of other changes to service delivery options, program restructurings, and initiatives designed to allow us to adapt to growth in Cabarrus County. These issues are detailed herein. ' A review of the FY 96-97 and FY 95-96 budget documents highlights several issues that continue to be important and are also a focus for the FY 97-98 budget proposal. These include: · law enforcemeqt and emergency service issues · perceived recreational needs . · health and human service program changes at the state and federal level · education operational and facility funding for two school systems · industrial and commercial economic development · 'propdrty tax issue with Philip Morris · efficient and responsive county government services During the past year each of the above mentioned issues were pursued and acted upon. As this memorandum details activities to be pursued during FY 97-98, issues continued 'from prior fiscal periods will be noted for reference. ThiJ; budget documeiat as presented is a proposal of priorities for county services and allocation of resources necessary to pursue objectives authorized by the county commission. Additionally, included are a siries of initiatives that may have direct or indirect financial !mpli(~ations on the FY 97-98 budget.. These alternatives are offered for consideration by the Board of Commissioners aa part of the budget review process. INITIATIVES INCLUDED IN'THE FY. 97-98 BUDGET 1. Formation of the Cabarrus Coun _ty Public Health Authority Budgetary modifications include the separation of the most of County's Health Department functions to the P.H.A. along with the Cabarrus Home Health Agency into a stand alone agency that will operate closely with the private sector in meeting community'health needs. (See notation under optional 97-98 initiatives). 2. Relocation of Human Service Activities to Kannapolis The County Commission approved a ten year facility lease for the former Kmart property at the intersection of Highways 29 and 136 in Kannapolis. The County's Social Services Department, Cabarrus Behavioral Healthcare and the Public Health Authority will operaie in .consolidated facilities, scheduled to open in the spring of 1998. Landfill Closure The county landfill will cease receiving household waste effective December 31, 1997. It appears that the State will 'allew the landfill to continue to receive demolition waste until the current dispo, sal cell is filled. This will allow the facility to continue to operate in a reduced mode for several more years. County $taff is developing pr6posals for consideration by the .County Commission on