Supervisors Complete Review of FY-27 Budget Public Hearing and Set Possible Budget Votes for Wednesday, April 22

The Warren County Board of Supervisors continued its early-aborted, post-Fiscal Year-2027 (FY-27) Budget Public Hearing work session discussion from April 15 on Monday evening, April 20, at 6 p.m., at the Warren County Government Center (WCGC). It appears there may be a vote, or at least partial votes, on the FY-27 Budget at the board’s meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m. That meeting was delayed a day due to the April 21st statewide Special Election and the use of the WCGC meeting room as one voting location.

But back to Monday, after a brief introduction by Chairman Chery Cullers beginning at the 5-second mark of the LINKED County video, the board discussion picked up where it left off the evening of April 15th. That was with a continuation of North River District Supervisor Richard Jamieson’s overview of issues at hand. Those issues revolve around how the board can best meet its FY-27 revenue needs to finance various departmental and public service needs.

The county supervisors prepare to convene their continued meeting on April 15 and on April 20. Below, behind General Registrar & Director of Elections Matthew Reisinger, is an empty room. Reisinger was there to oversee the furniture relocation to accommodate one of Tuesday’s Special Election voting sites. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

That issue appears to rest on a balancing of proposed tax rate hikes, with the 10-cent Real Estate Tax hike being the primary focus, along with hikes in Personal Property and other taxes on the table impacting citizens. Jamieson began his presentation by acknowledging Chairman Culler’s request that he not take up too much time so that other board members could contribute their overviews without extending the work session too long into the evening. He appeared to meet the goal of not exceeding 15 minutes to conclude his presentation begun on April 15.

A major point in Jamieson’s presentation was a reduction of the Real Estate hike from 10 cents to 5 cents. But at issue with various board members and financial-related staff was how the use of reserves could impact Wealth Management and Operating Bank Account levels, potentially taking them below levels that help the County maintain favorable financial ratings and interest rates on accounts used to pay off long-term County debts for things like Capital Improvements of existing or the construction of new Public School facilities as has been done in recent decades by previous boards.

On right, North River Supervisor Richard Jamieson prepares to complete his report begun at the April 15 meeting as Fork District Supervisor Hugh Henry reviews budget packet handouts prior to the meeting’s start.

Discussion video marks

Cullers acknowledges the coming completion of Jamieson’s presentation at <00:51> (51-second video mark). Jamieson’s review then begins at <01:05 video mark> and ends at <14:57>. The meeting adjourned at 01:49:25 video mark just before 7:50 p.m.

Interim County Administrator Dr. David Martin and Finance Director Alisa Scott shared one staff table not moved for Tuesday’s Special Election. Below, the trio of County officials at the other end of the room included, from left, Treasurer Janice Shanks, Commissioner of Revenue Sherry Sours, and Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows. Asked about several budget variables, all three sided with Finance Director Alisa Scott on caution in the movement of Wealth Management and Operating Account balances, where unknown variables may be at play.

After several twists and turns in the discussion, Interim County Administrator Dr. David Martin asked for input from a trio of Financial staff on Jamieson’s stance on fund balance use <40:48>. Financial Staff feedback on those accounts’ use, initially focused on sound system issues, included Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows <40:55>; Treasurer Janice Shanks (41:58); and Commissioner of Revenue Sherry Sours <44:07>, after a battle with the meeting room’s sound system. Also offering crucial information at various points in the conversation was Finance Director Alisa Scott. Included time signatures were <17:20 mark>; at <22:22 mark> when Dr. Martin commented on needed public school repairs, handing off to Scott at <23:15 mark> <32:35> mark; and <34:50> with Supervisor Stanmeyer posing a question to Scott.

Dr. Martin hands out agenda summary sheets to the table of County Financial Officers.

To absorb the full context of the discussion points and all five supervisors’ perspectives and questions to staff, review the referenced County video in its entirety, or use the fast-forward option available through sound problems or other lulls in the discussion.

As noted above, the supervisors will hold a follow-up meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m. at the WC Government Center. That open meeting will be preceded by a Closed Meeting slated for 5 p.m. And a final or partial budget vote could be taken at the open meeting.