ROCKINGHAM — Last week, the Richmond County Board of Commissioners approved a budget that includes increases in employee pay and solid waste and water rates, as well as allocations to first responders.
County Manager Bryan Land presented the budget at the June 2 meeting, saying he felt it was “understandable and very straight forward.”
“Over the last nine years, the county has made great strides improving our overall financial picture,” Land said, adding that the unassigned fund balance percentage has increased from 5.03% to 48.69%. The available fund balance has also increased.
Land continued saying the county’s debt burden has “been slashed” from $44 million to $21 million.
While sales tax revenues for the outgoing fiscal year exceeded the amount budgeted, Land said the “need for these additional funds is great.”
“Brutal inflation figures have led to higher prices, which have bolstered sales tax performance,” Land said.
The General Fund budget, Land said, is balanced at $70,134,736, with the property tax rate remaining at $0.73 per $100 of valuation.
“There are funds set aside to meet our debt obligations and maintain current county operations,” Land said. “Many departments … were not funded fully at the amounts they initially requested. However … they are adequately funded to operate safely and effectively.”
Getting into expenses for the upcoming fiscal year, Land said the budget includes a 25% increase for the county’s rescue organizations — Cordova, Ellerbe, Hamlet, Hoffman and Richmond County — and an allocation of $68,500 to the Derby Fire Department.
The budget also includes the following rates for the following fire tax and service districts:
The allocations for parks and recreation to the municipalities will remain the same, Land said. However, he added that Dobbins Heights and Hoffman will receive one-time increases for youth and senior projects.
Full-time county employees will see a 4% increase, which Land said was made a priority by local leaders.
“As I state often, we must do everything we can to protect our most valuable asset — our employees,” Land said.
The budget also retains two bonus days, the merit-based pay program, the employee health clinic, and health insurance at no cost to employees.
Land said that Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina initially proposed a 14.84% increase, but the county was able to revise the renewal to a 1.86% increase.
The Richmond County Board of Education will receive a 9.3% increase from the previous year and Richmond Community College’s allocation will be 7.8% higher. Education accounts for about 24% of the budget, according to Land.
The Solid Waste budget, balanced at $4,955,315, includes a 2.8% hike in commercial fees and 2.7% increase for residential customers.
Land said the county has absorbed rising costs over the last six years from Uwharrie Environmental, as well as fuel costs.
The Water Department budget, balanced at $7,467,389, includes an increase of 2% across the board, which Land said would equate to about $0.50 extra per month on bills. He added that occasional rate increases are needed to keep up with operational costs.
The RO requested a copy of the budget after the meeting and has yet to receive it. The upcoming fiscal year budget, as well as those from the past two fiscal years, are not available on the county’s website.
(NOTE: The bugets for this coming fiscal year and the past two years was added to the county's website on June 11. 3:42 p.m. 6-11-26.)
See the budget below. Added 4:04 p.m. 6-11-26.
