Revenue shortfalls expected

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
According to the tentative Weston County budget and County Clerk Becky Hadlock, Weston County is anticipating revenue for fiscal year 2021, beginning July 1, to reach at least $6,323,427.51, despite a decrease in the county valuation. 
“We are pleasantly surprised and grateful,” Hadlock told the News Letter Journal, noting that she anticipates an increase in next year’s revenue, over what is already included in the tentative budget. 
Revenue for fiscal 2020 was estimated at $5,080,840.47 – $1,242,587.04 less than the  estimated fiscal 2021 revenue. 
Hadlock said that cuts are not coming in areas affecting the county’s revenue, although other entities, including state agencies and colleges, are cutting budgets and removing programs in lieu of the economic downturn in the state.  She noted that she is shocked at the estimated revenue, especially with the county valuation sitting at $143,344,121, down from $151,525,357 last year. 
City Clerk-Treasurer Greg James, on the other hand, reported to the Newcastle City Council that revenue would be “flat” at best, meaning no increase or decrease. He said that he will not have a good idea until after the first quarter of the fiscal year but he anticipates needing a revenue adjustment later on. 
“The big kicker depends on what the state does with revenue. If they cut the supplemental budget, it could be serious for us,” James said. “I just have no idea, so I am trying to get everyone prepared in case it doesn’t hold level.” 
The City of Newcastle approved its fiscal 2021 budget on June 15. It includes $3,633,250 in general fund expenses. The county will officially approve its budget after the beginning of the fiscal year. 
“This budget (Weston County) presented is tentative, and I anticipate changes before final approval on July 13, when we hold the public hearing,” Hadlock said, noting that the commissioners will hold another budget workshop, although she is unsure of when. 
Within the proposed budget provided by Hadlock is a total of $16,448,078.31 in requirements, down over a million dollars from last year’s $17,673,179.71 budget. 
According to Hadlock, elected officials and other department heads were contacted when the budget process began and asked to present the most fiscally responsible budgets possible. 
“When the department heads were asked to submit their budget request, they were asked to try to cut from their budgets where they could to try to help the board from having to make these cuts themselves. The department heads did a great job cutting back in the areas that they needed to, and the board was very pleased,” Hadlock said. “Other line items were cut back in order to help save employee hours from being cut. This year, the county is not going to see much of an impact from COVID-19 and we are hoping that next year is just as good.” 
Within the proposed budget, several departments will be decreased, while others will remain unchanged. Only a few line items, including the commissioners, elections and other county accounts, see an increase in the upcoming budget, as of June 29. 
Line items seeing decreases include the county clerk, treasurer, assessor, sheriff, attorney, the law enforcement complex, extension services, district court, the courthouse, road and bridge and the county fund road projects. 
Also in the proposed budget is a decrease in spending within the 1% sales tax expense line item. A total of $83,500 was cut from that section of the budget, although no changes were made to the amounts given to service providers, including the humane society, Weston County Children’s Center, Newcastle Ambulance Service and others. 
According to the proposed budget document, the cuts to the 1% sales tax expense area consisted of eliminating $10,000  for records retention and repair, $30,000 for capital projects in fiscal 2020, $17,500 for repairs and the courthouse and another $26,000 for courthouse security. 
Hadlock made it very clear that changes are anticipated and that the final budget will not be approved until a public hearing is held on July 13 at 7 p.m. in the office of the Weston County commissioners located at the Weston County Courthouse. Members of the public are able to inspect the budget by visiting the Weston County Clerk’s office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.