FY 2025 Manager's Recommended Budget-in-Brief
This year ' s budget theme, "RESOURCEFUL, " underscores Gaston County's commitment to strategic resource allocation This budget aims to minimize the impact of inflationary and mandated growth on residents while ensuring essential services are maintained. The total net recommended budget for all funds totals $420 million; the General Fund budget totals $340 million.
59.9 Zero 74% 1 2 3
Tax rate, a 1.1 cent decrease from the current rate and the lowest on record Fund balance appropriated to balance the budget Goes towards public safety, human services, and education services for residents
NEW POSITIONS - A total of 147 new full-time positions were requested, highlighting several needs that aren't unique to one department or service function.
Positions are needed to keep up with the growth in service demand, and take care of existing resources and infrastructure while planning for future growth.
FULLY FUND
DEBT CAPACITY MODELContinuing to cut or hold the transfer to the CIF flat because the General Fund cannot support an increase has long-term implications on planned debt service and capital projects.
MERIT PAY SYSTEMDue to budget constraints, there is no merit pay included in this budget. This would discontinue, at least temporarily, the system that has been in place since FY21.
INCREASED FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONThe recommended budget only includes 1% operating allocation increases for Gaston County Schools and Gaston College, and flat capital allocations
The Community Investment Fund (CIF) model was introduced in FY21. The CIF collects all revenues into one fund, and transfers them out to separate funds for debt service obligations and pay-go capital projects for the County, County School system, and Gaston College.