Commissioners approve budget in split vote

Martin County Commissioners approved the FY 2024-2025 budget last week by a 3-2 vote of the board during their regularly scheduled meeting.

While there will be no tax increases this year, passing the budget was not without discussion.

Commissioners travel and the benefit gained was the focus of a lengthy, often heated discussion.

“We’re a county that has come up short and we have spent thousands of dollars on travel. All of this travel expense is just ludicrous,” Commissioner Joe Ayers said. “I am tired of seeing it and these folks out here are tired of seeing it. We are all taxpayers and we are tired of seeing our money go down the toilet.”

The commissioner was referring to the $52,000 commissioner travel expenses allocated in the upcoming budget.

Ayers was not alone in his comments.

Residents Bill Leggett and Martha MacDonald also took issue with the amounts spent during the public comment session of the meeting.

Macdonald had calculated the upcoming commissioner’s trip had already cost the taxpayers $4,855.05.

“Ronnie was late with his registration so the county had to pay an extra $120. This is completely out of line,” said MacDonald.

Ayers pointed to the return on investment the county receives from the conference and convention excursions. Ayers made a motion to reduce the recommended amount claiming three commissioners do not need to attend the same convention.

Gurganus seconded the motion, however, Commissioners Emily Biggs, Ronnie Smith and Chair Dempsey Bond voted against it. Bond, Smith and Biggs are the three commissioners choosing to attend the events. Ayers and Gurganus choose not attend the various conferences claiming they are a waste of taxpayer funds.

Interim County Manager Ben Eisner was more positive about the budget.

“Please accept this budget recommendation of the Interim County Manager’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-2025,” he said. “The FY 2024-2025 budget totals $38,007,792 for all county fund operations, capital improvements and debt service. The budget is based on maintenance of the current tax rate of $0.81 per $100 valuation, plus the applicable fire district tax.”

The county is anticipating revenues totaling $38,007,792 including an ad valorem tax collection of $16,939,106, sales tax collection of $5,999,463 and use of funds from the fund balance of $3,394,503.

Included in the budget is a two percent cost of living adjustment for employees.

Retirement expenses have increased by $144,898 in 2024-2025. The county suffered a substantial financial loss with the closing of Martin General Hospital since they will not be receiving the “earned” funds for use of the hospital building. Those funds are tied up in the Williamston Hospital bankruptcy proceeding.

Eisner was appointed Interim County Manager in 2023 after the resignation of former county manager James Bennett. This was the first time Eisner was responsible for the county budget process.

“The budget season kicks off at the beginning of the year with the announcement of the schedule for the next several months. The process is a collaborative effort among stakeholders both within the County staff and outside agencies,” said Eisner. “Initially, the Manager’s office and the Finance Officer met with department heads to discuss budgetary priorities. Subsequently, department heads and outside agencies presented budgetary requests and priorities to the board of commissioners.

“What was clear throughout the process was that the county is served by a talented group of department heads with depth of experience, outside agencies with real vision for their missions, and citizens with a commitment to Martin County,” he closed.

The FY 2024-2025 budget goes into effect on July 1.