County budget includes health department face-lift, public safety campus
The Gaston County Board of Commission is considering a $361 million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, an 8.9% increase from the current year's budget, with no change in the property tax rate.
The proposed budget would keep county property taxes at 83 cents per $100 of assessed property value, the same as the current rate. Commission Chairman Chad Brown has a motion on the board's agenda for commissioners to approve the budget at the board's meeting on Tuesday, May 24.
Gaston County's tax rate is tied for the 12th highest in the state, meaning just 11 of the state's 100 counties have a higher tax rate, according to the N.C. Department of Revenue. Surrounding counties of Mecklenburg (61.69 cents), Cleveland (68.75 cents) and Lincoln (61.90 cents) all have lower tax rates, according to the state.
While it was not on the proposed budget presented earlier, there was some talk among county commissioners of lowering the property tax rate further.
Commissioner Tracy Philbeck said during the meeting that he supports reducing the tax rate.
He said that even if the county cuts the tax rate the following year, people might still end up paying more property taxes because of a revaluation that will occur in 2023. He said that effectively would not be a true tax cut.
"To really get a real tax cut, I think we have an opportunity to do that next year," he said.
Philbeck's term on the county commission will end in December 2022, and he is not seeking re-election.
The budget also includes a 6% merit-based salary adjustment for employees to help offset the impact of inflation; a recommended net of $8.3 million in funding for facility maintenance and construction, replacement of public safety and other equipment, and other infrastructure projects; and $2 million in additional funding for Gaston County Schools and $350,000 for Gaston College.
Other highlights
Gaston County also allocated funding for several major projects:
The county allocated $7 million for the construction of a facility to house Gaston County Emergency Management, Gaston County Emergency Medical Services, and the 911 communications center. The county stated in the proposed budget that the facility is a critical long-term need.
The county is planning a major renovation project at the health department. The county allocated $6 million for 2023 from the Medicaid Cost Settlement funding, not county funds. The renovation will be a multi-year project.
In November, Gaston County purchased the existing Gashouse Garage on N. Avon Street in Gastonia, and the building will house the fleet services department. The county allocated $3 million in the 2023 budget to add bay space for ambulances and expand the parking lot, according to the proposed budget.
Gaston County Schools requested $6.3 million to fund the purchase of technology, vehicles, furniture and renovations. The proposed budget recommends about $2.2 million in funding, a $1 million increase over the amount from fiscal year 2022.
The county allocated $1.6 million for general maintenance and repairs -- The flooring at the courthouse and the Social Services buildings needs replaced, the roof on the York-Chester building, which houses the probation office and the Board of Elections, needs replaced, and the HVAC system at the Hoffman Hotel, which houses the Gaston County Museum of Art and History, needs replaced.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: No proposed tax increase in Gaston County budget
