FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 10/25/2021

FROM: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN MATT MURELL

COLUMBIA COUNTY FORESEES 6.2% TAX RATE DECREASE

“I am pleased to announce today that the 2022 Columbia County budget will see a 2% tax levy cut and a 6.2% tax rate reduction for county taxpayers,” county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said this morning.

“With the average home value in Columbia County currently at $270,389, the average taxpayer will see a $95.66 decrease in their 2022 tax bill under this budget,” Chairman Murell explained. “The tax levy cut, combined with the addition of $390 million in property valuation to the property assessment roll and other factors, brings us to the 6.2% tax rate reduction.”

In addition, said county Treasurer PJ Keeler, sales tax collected by the county has risen from $45 million last year to $49 million this year, which has been incorporated into the 2022 budget. At the same time, state retirement costs are down $1 million.

The tax levy is the total sum of taxes that need to be collected in a particular year by the municipality under its adopted budget. The tax rate is the dollar rate per thousand dollars of assessed value of a given property used to calculate an annual tax bill. For example, if a property were valued at $100,000 and the per thousand tax rate is one percent, that year’s tax bill would amount to $100.

Treasurer PJ Keeler, Controller Ron Caponera, Finance Committee Chairman Jim Guzzi, Chairman Murell and bipartisan support among the county Board of Supervisors have worked to produce the proposed 2022 budget. Chairman Murell also serves as county budget officer.

A public hearing on the proposed 2022 budget will precede the Wednesday, December 8, monthly Board of Supervisors meeting. In most cases, the budget is adopted by the board the same evening.

No cuts in services

The 2022 budget cuts expenses while maintaining services, and in some cases increases them, Chairman Murell stressed. “We continue to produce budgets that are in the best interest of all our residents. That includes the much-needed services of Mental Health, Social Services and Public Safety as well as maintenance of roads and bridges, all of which have been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Steps we collectively took last year in the initial stages of the pandemic are partly to thank for the good shape we’re in today, including the cooperation of department heads helping to control expenses,” said Chairman Matt B. Murell  “It’s important to note that this positive increase in the county’s financial position has been the result of balanced budgeting, the implementation of cost controls, consolidations achieved through the Central Business Office, and other measures implemented by county department heads together with the Board of Supervisors’ support.”

Treasurer Keeler noted that since 2013, Columbia County’s “average tax increase has been only 1.1 percent. At the same time, appropriations to the general fund have increased 14.1 percent through 2021, but due to revenue enhancements and expense controls we have maintained minimal increases in the tax rate.”

Chairman Murell pointed out that budget process is guided by the county’s General Fund Balance policy, established by Board of Supervisors’ resolution #114-2018. The policy was adopted based on historical county financial performance, assuring that Columbia County is able to meet current and future financial obligations as it maintains its financial strength moving forward.

Resolution #114-2018 states that the county will endeavor to maintain two months of annual general fund appropriations, which translates to a minimum of 10 percent and a maximum of 15 percent of the general fund appropriations in both restricted and unrestricted cash to meet current funding requirements.

In the appropriated 2021 budget, the fund balance requirement would equal $20 million in total, with a cash requirement of between $12-18 million. The 2020 unaudited financial statement shows $20 million in general fund balance, with $14 million in cash. For historical reference, 2012 showed a general fund balance of $11.8 million, with $5.6 million in cash.