“NC is short on education funding.”
action to show that we are in this together!
“NC Agency will freeze hiring, lay off consultants and limit purchases to ‘mission critical’ items.”
Rather than take time to study costs and options they chose to put $500,000 in the budget for the Architect and planning for the $5 million town hall.
“…permanently close due to the pandemic…” “NC Jobless Rate Rises” https://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment “…back to school with students at home…” “Guilford County unveils sparse budget” “Food prices see historic rise and are likely to stay high” “We will be changed.” We continue to read about the financial shortfall for our State and local community, and so many hardships for our citizens due to the coronavirus in 2020. Scoop recommended in May that the town let you the citizens keep your town property tax money for this fiscal year, for a tax holiday. A zero town property tax levy for $500,000 would be better in YOUR pocket during this unprecedented pandemic and an
Budget was approved for $2.2 million, ($400,000 higher than fiscal year ending 6/30/2020). Operating costs to run the town are budgeted at $1,284,400, and capital costs of $879,300 are from the $6 to $7 million Reserves. Budget is recommended by Scott Whitaker, manager, Dee Hall, finance officer, and approved by council members Tim Sessoms, Lynne Williams Devaney, John O’Day, and Reece Walker who is town council member and Summerfield FIRE fireman. Council Member Teresa Pegram voted no. Mayor said the town has desperate need to pay for water for FIRE District. Research from FIRE reports show that only one structural fire in five years needed water to extinguish the fire in our town. Or is the town water authority needed to prepare for higher density housing and commercial development that is in the U.D.O.? Now is not the time to start multi-million dollar projects. The budget could easily be reduced; but they decided now is the time to spend the Reserve Fund that the town has
had for almost 20 years. Through the years the Reserves amount would go from $6 to $9 million, and provided needed interest income each year, and aided capital projects like the ball fields. Take a look at the “Summerfield Annual Income” chart in this issue of Scoop. Income varies slightly and no way for the town to increase income, except to raise property taxes. Note property taxes and sales tax that is received averages $560,000 a year. If your Town property tax is tripled the town will only receive $1 million more. The Reserves could be quickly gone. Mayor BJ Barnes said if the Reserves are gone it would be easier to just get “grant money.” Scoop believes that is a risky plan for taxpayer money, and Summerfield is not recognized as “needy.” Take a look at your property tax bill, and if you add another ZERO “0” to your Summerfield Town property tax that will increase your town tax ten-fold, and after paying expenses to run the town there may be $4.8 million, not enough to replenish the Reserves -- and our taxes would be closer to Greensboro taxes. For what? Scoop believes the record high spending they approved is not wise during such uncertain times.
THE STORY IN THEIR OWN WORDS Town Budget July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. From Scott Whitaker, manager, and Dee Hall, finance officer. Approved by a majority of council. “.. battling an unseen virus is requiring new expenses for safety and prevention measures – more physical space It appears the town had none of those expenses, not even Zoom. Town was to social distance, plexiglass separators, additional open full time for business as usual. Town had one less part time employee with cleaning efforts and supplies, signage, equipment, and parks closed, no Founders Day expense, and other economies. tele-learning and tele-working IT expenses.” Spending all the Reserves is “no grip on taxpayer money,” and not “solid financial stewardship.” Does he think spending the Reserves and building a $5 million town hall will help local economic recovery? No. Town tax for one year might help the taxpayers’ recovery. Manager is confused about “deficit financing,” “when government spends more money than it receives as revenue, and makes up “Is tightening the grip on the fund balance (Reserves) the deficit with spending reserves or borrowing to stimulate the economy.” That the best sign of solid financial stewardship? Or is is what the federal government does because they print the money. Is investing undertaking a major capital project when financially able locally important? Then why is the main town attorney from Chapel Hill, NC, a welcomed part of area economic recovery efforts?” Brough Law Firm? Why are the bills to the second law firm paid to Columbia SC, a firm with 758 lawyers? ($350 - $400/hour) Manager and finance officer Dee Hall recently recommended, and majority of council approved, a new Auditor, Wade Greene from Carolina Beach NC, someone the finance officer worked with in the past.
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SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
