County Proposes Higher Taxes, Less Money for Schools

By WAYNE CREED
Cape Charles Wave

April 6, 2015

There was standing room only March 31 at the public hearing on the Northampton County proposed budget. As a show of support, students, teachers, and administrators from the county schools were on hand, wearing Kiptopeke t-shirts and holding signs that read “Put Kids First.”

Due to the resignation of Financial Director Leslie Lewis, County Administrator Katie Nunez had the marginally unpleasant task of presenting the proposed $41.1 million budget, including the tax increases it requires. The real estate tax rate would rise from 67 to 70 cents per $100 assessed value. Personal property taxes could increase from $3.85 to $3.90 per hundred dollars.

Many folks were on hand to show support for a more robust school budget, which as proposed is almost 1 percent less than last year. Nunez noted that the county is only required to contribute $5,339,712 to the school budget (the remainder comes from the state), yet it actually funds schools $8,339,472. There was a spike in FY2009, where county contributions were over $9 million, but since have leveled off to around the $8 million figure.

During public comments, Occohannock math teacher and president of the county teachers union, Justin Wheeler, asked the Board of Supervisors, “Look around. Why do you think all these students and teachers have come out tonight? Because we care. Because it’s about the safety of our schools, about the future of Northampton County — we are the face of the county; it is time to put kids first. Why must we come before you and beg for raises? I’m asking you to fully fund our schools. You must ask yourselves, what side of history do you want to be on?”

School Board member JoAnn Molera of Franktown asked the Board of Supervisors to think outside the box and be more conceptually forward regarding the role of schools in the county. “Luckily, people from Washington DC have not found out about Northampton County, but even as we want to see our population grow, it is our schools — we can use our schools to attract the kind of people we want to move here.” Given the nature of Northampton, “we can educate our children in a unique way, to use our schools as a way to draw people here. Outstanding schools will make people want to move here. We [Supervisors and the School Board] need to limit the friction, to be more collaborative, and work together to make our schools better . . . Give the kids an education that makes them want to be long-term learners. They will be people who can pay taxes and who will want to [stay in Northampton] to send their kids to our schools,” and not wind up in our jails, Molera stressed.

Cathleen Buyrn of Cheriton followed that train of thought: “There is no more important asset than the people that work in our schools. I will not support a tax increase for more jails or a courthouse, but I will support a tax increase for our schools. It is the right thing to do. It is our turn, our kids’ turn — it is time to address new schools, and a raise for our teachers,” she said, adding that due to low salaries, some teachers’ children “qualify for free and/or reduced lunch programs.”

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Shifting gears, Yvonne Bagwell of Eastville spoke against tax increases: “I will not support a tax increase of any kind. I have not received a cost of living or wage increase either [retired on fixed income]. It is a poor county; we can’t afford to give any more. You need to get away from the idea that you can have anything you want [and raise taxes] — you must try and make do with the same amount of money that you had last year.”

School Superintendent Eddie Lawrence listed numerous cuts the schools still had to make, noting that in his last meeting with the Supervisors he had touted the success of the universal pre-K program. But due to state budget cuts, that program may have to be cut from two classrooms to one or even be eliminated. “Our kids, our citizens deserve at least average schools. I ask you to support the youth of Northampton County. They are our future,” he said.

Ken Dufty of Wardtown, who has led the charge against the county’s new zoning proposals, addressed the need to properly fund the schools as well as services such as Emergency Medical Service. “We need to turn the green light on for investment in Northampton. I agree with all these people here, good schools will be the economic engine that funds our county. I applaud your efforts and work you have done on the budget, but during Monday’s meeting, you denied funding for services such as EMS — we have $1.8 million in the Capital Reserve Fund. There are things that we need — fund the requests for schools and public safety issues,” Dufty said.

Parks and Recreation Director Laura Jenrette emphasized that the gym at the former middle school is very important — the basketball program alone serves over 1,000 people a season, and indoor volleyball is also gaining popularity.

Former Supervisor Spencer Murray attacked the proposal to maintain the middle school, given the projected high cost of renovations ($1.2-$5 million). “Why spend millions on a building — $100,000 for utilities for it.  The county needs money to replace the high school. We don’t need another complex. I’d like to know who is behind pushing this,” he said.

Administrator Nunez gave a lengthy presentation on estimated revenues, projected expenditures, and supporting tax rates, as well as long-term goals for the FY 2016 budget. She said that long term goals for education are to work closer with the School Board to find ways to pay for school capital improvements, as well as to continue to fund at or above the current levels per student. She said that a major economic development goal is to develop business incentives to help drive business recruitment, selection, location and development.

With the hospital moving away, the county has become fully aware of the health care issues to be faced, and Nunez emphasized that the county will continue to fund EMS services, and will ensure that a 24/7 Emergency Care Unit is operating by June 2017. The county plans to partner with Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital regarding redevelopment of the current facilities in Nassawadox.

Other long-term county goals include promoting broadband availability and providing water and sewer to the northern and southern nodes “in a financially responsible way,” Nunez said. She did not explain what role the County Public Service Authority would play in such an approach.

Nunez also gave a breakdown of county spending: The largest portion of the budget, 63% or $26.6 million, goes toward personnel. Operating expenses come next at 29 percent, or $11 million. Debt service is  7%, and general outlays are 4%.

Nunez noted that 68% of General Fund revenue comes from property taxes.

County revenue is always in flux, Nunez said with state aid being the most volatile. Sales tax revenue declined by $48,000, and Recordation tax receipts fell by $20,000. There was, however, a $77,584 increase from the State Compensation Board to pay the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Other local revenues have held steady, with increases listed in Fines, Courthouse Fees, and Solid Waste Fees. Ambulance fees and vehicle license taxes declined, Nunez said.

In addition to General Fund expenditures (employee compensation, treasurer, EMS, solid waste, etc.), Nunez noted additional Capital Outlays for the electoral board, sheriff’s office, contribution to Eastern Shore Community College, and Harbor and Boats, such as $25,000 for floating docks at Willis Wharf, which is part of a matching Port Authority grant.

Supervisors will deliberate the proposed budget tonight (April 6) at 5 p.m., with a possible final vote on the budget and tax rates April 14.