Manager Presents FY2022 Recommended Budget

Press release from Cumberland County:

May 27, 2021

County Manager Amy Cannon presented the Fiscal Year 2022 recommended annual budget to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners tonight. Under the plan, property taxes would remain unchanged at 79.9 cents per $100 valuation.

The balanced recommended budget includes $502 million in expenditures across all County funds, with $340 million appropriated to General Fund expenses, which reflects a $12 million increase over the FY2021 budget, or 3.7%.

Last year’s revenue projections were conservative, reflecting expected declines in tax revenue due to the pandemic. Cannon said the decline in revenue did not happen and sales taxes are expected to exceed the FY2021 budget by almost $10 million. She cited the federal stimulus payments, enhanced unemployment benefits and the military payroll as key factors.

The recommended budget includes:

• $2.8 million for body cameras for the Sheriffl’s Office
• $548,254 for 10 new positions
• $83 million in current expense funding the Cumberland County Schools, representing 43.47% of the property tax rate
• $13.3 million in current expense funding to Fayetteville Technical Community College
• $2.9 million to replace 45 vehicles (34 from the Sheriff’s Office)
• $3.1 million for a 3% cost of living adjustment for County employees

The recommended budget is posted on the Budget Division webpage.

The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in Room 118 of the courthouse. Citizens who would like to comment on the proposed budget during the public hearing must sign up prior to the start of the meeting. A sign-up sheet will be available in the room. Individuals may also call the Clerk to the Board at 910-678-7771 or email cwhite@co.cumberlan.nc.us.

Commissioners may adopt the 2022 budget no earlier than 10 days after it is presented.

Full Budget Meeting Schedule

Budget Work Session June 2 at 5:30 p.m. Room 564, Courthouse

Public Hearing June 7 at 7 p.m. Room 118, Courthouse

Budget Work Session June 9 at 5:30 p.m. Room 564, Courthouse

Budget Work Session June 14 at 5:30 p.m. Room 564, Courthouse

Budget Work Session (if needed) June 16 at 5:30 p.m. Room 564, Courthouse

This press release was produced by Cumberland County. The views expressed are the author's own.