Brunswick County Commissioners adopt $291.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the recommended budget, capital improvement plan and schedule of fees for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (FY22) during their regular meeting Monday, June 21.
The FY22 budget for all funds totals $291,541,119, which represents an increase of 9.8% over the budget adopted June 17, 2020. The FY21 budget factored in the reduction of some key revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget will go into effect Thursday, July 1, 2021.
The budget includes recommended changes to various general fund fees for fire fee committee and municipal fire, Solid Waste, Health Services, and Environmental Health. The budget also includes recommended changes to the County’s retail, irrigation, industrial, and wholesale water rates, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022.
Earlier this spring, the Board of Commissioners adopted five core focus areas to plan and guide the direction of government priorities and services. Here is an overview of what to expect in the FY22 budget aligned to those goals.
Economic Development
- Continue the County’s commitment of $200,000 per year to the reserve for shoreline protection
Education
- Budget increase of 3.1% per the funding agreement with Brunswick County Schools for the operating budget resulting from growth in ad valorem taxes
- Budget increase of 3.7% to Brunswick Community College to support existing programs and $350,000 for the Foundation Grant providing tuition assistance
Excellent Government
- Maintain the current ad valorem (property) tax rate at $48.50 cents, keeping Brunswick County in line as one of the lowest rates in the state (11th)*
- Scale adjustment for all employee salaries and market adjustments for employees recognized for performance
- No reduction of current employee benefits
- Funding for a Classification and Total Compensation Study
- Continued funding for technology/computer software support and increased cybersecurity
- Provide employees training, resources, and equipment to facilitate high service levels to residents
Growth and Sustainability
- Addition of a Building Inspector, Fire Inspector, Floodplain Administrator, and a Permitting Technician to meet the demands in Code Administration
- Additional IT Programmer and Security Specialist
- One additional Custodial Assistant for increased workloads
- One additional Library Assistant
- Six positions in Utilities for Meter Reader, Safety Officer, Collections Mechanic, Utilities Foreman, Wastewater Operator, and Maintenance Mechanic
Healthy and Safe Community
- Increase of 6.5% to Brunswick Senior Resources for program support for five district senior centers
- Social Work Supervisor and Program Specialist to meet state guidelines with funding grant reimbursements provided
- Two additional Telecommunicator I positions in Central Communications for staffing and rotation schedule
- Four additional Paramedics to increase to 24-hour service
Capital Improvement Plan
Brunswick County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a five-year rolling plan to identify and fund or finance capital projects over multiple fiscal years, if necessary. The following projects reflect funding approved for new or ongoing projects in FY22.
To see additional projects anticipated through FY26 or those already funded prior to FY22, including the Northwest Water Treatment Plant and Northeast Brunswick Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant projects, view the full overview of the now approved FY22 budget.
Meeting Recap
Below is a quick recap of the actions taken on other selected agenda items during the June 21 regular meeting. Residents can view an online and PDF version of the full agenda and accompanying reports at brunswickcountync.gov/agendas
VI. Presentation
- Presentation – Operations During the COVID Pandemic: The Board of Commissioners received a brief presentation from Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow, and Chief District Court Judge Scott Ussery, regarding operations during the COVID pandemic.
VII. Public Hearing
- GIS – Street Adoption: The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the second reading and adoption of the proposed street names following a public hearing:
| TO | FROM | TOWNSHIP |
| BOURNE DR SW | NONE | SHALLOTTE |
| BRUNSWICK BEACHES DR SW | KOA DR SW | SHALLOTTE |
| BUTTONWILLOW CT SW | NONE | SHALLOTTE |
| CAMPANELLA CT SW | NONE | SHALLOTTE |
| CAYA LUNA COVE SE | NONE | LOCKWOOD FOLLY |
| COLBERT PLACE DR NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| DABNEY PARK DR NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| EDUCATION LN SE | NONE | LOCKWOOD FOLLY |
| FINLEY FARMS CT | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| FOREST GLEN DR NE | NONE | NORTHWEST |
| HOFFMAN CORNERS RD NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| KINSLEY CT NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| OAK GROVE CT NE | NONE | NORTHWEST |
| PRATT CT NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| PUTNAM DR NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| RIGBY CT NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| SELBY CT NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| TABOR WAY NE | NONE | TOWN CREEK |
| WINDING OAKS CT NE | NONE | NORTHWEST |
| WINDY PINES FARM LN NW | NONE | WACCAMAW |
The next regular Board of Commissioners meeting is Tuesday, July 6 at 3 p.m.
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* Based on 2019-2020 county effective county tax rates
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov