York County Council Adopts 2019 FY Budget
On Monday, June 18, York County Council voted 4 to 3 to adopt the operating and capital budgets for the operation of York County Government for the 2019 fiscal year (FY) commencing on July 1, 2018.
“I’m very pleased with this budget,” said County Manager Bill Shanahan. “The budget is balanced and focuses on the 2018 strategic goals Council has set forth; as well as, it positions the County to be even stronger financially in the future.”
The total for the operating and capital budgets are approximately $470 million; which is a decrease of approximately $80 million from the prior year. The budget for FY 2019 includes a 2.8 mill increase for the General Fund (2.0 mills) in order to allow the County to be able to pay the County’s General Obligation debt off in 2024 and (0.8 mills) provide merit based raise. The average of the raises is 2.5%.
“I want to say thank you to our Council for approving a raise for employees,” said Shanahan. “By doing this, Council verifies that our employees are our most valuable asset.”
The 2.5% overall raise will be 100% merit based. “This allows the County to reward the employees who are performing well; while, at the same time provide an incentive to those who are not,” said Shanahan.
The value of a mill for the entire County is projected to increase 3% to $1,266,900 for fiscal year 2019. The projected growth for the unincorporated area is 2% with a projected value of a mill of $800,700.
Council approved the following new positions:
- General Fund – Operations – 4.86
- General Fund – Solicitor – 2.0
- General Fund – Sheriff – 6.5
- There were an additional 16.63 requested; however, not recommended by management. “All of the new positions approved by Council were true needs of the County and critical in providing the services our residents deserve,” said Shanahan.
Two significant initiatives of the budget:
- · Pay off the general obligation debt in 2024:
The County is taking steps to be in a position to pay off the General Obligation Debt in 2024-(2 mills for 2019 and 3 mills thereafter until 2024). This will instantly save taxpayers approximately $9 million dollars and will eliminate the Debt Service millage (projected to be approximately 12 mills in 2024).
- · Reserve Fund (Pay As You Go):
This fund is in place to allow the County to pay for capital items annually rather than issue debt. The current 10 year capital plan results in savings to taxpayers of approximately $25,000,000 by avoiding interest and other debt related expenses. The millage in this fund is 3.6 mills for fiscal year 2019.