Approved monday – 2022 County Budget Totals $15,908,562.29

January 26, 2022

2022 COUNTY BUDGET APPROVED – The Washington County Commission held the Annual Budget Hearing on Monday morning, January 24th in the Commission Room at the Courthouse. Several County office holders attended along with employees and the general public. The Commissioners presented the County Budget, recounted the past year and fielded questions from the audience. Presiding Commissioner Dave Sansegraw thanked the public for continuing to shop locally in the County and recognized the support it gives to all that live and work in the area. The County Commissioners approved the proposed Budget and held their regular session meeting following. (Courtney Robinson Photos)

Washington County Commission restructured the salary schedules for all departments within the County for 2022. The restructure has resulted in a pay raise for all County employees and competitive salary schedules to maintain a strong County workforce.

The Washington County Commission and County Clerk/Budget Officer Jeanette Allen held the annual County Budget Hearing beginning at 9 A.M. Monday, January 24th in the Courthouse Commission Room.

A small group was in attendance, with some elected officials, employees of county entities and a few of the general public.

The meeting was called to order and Presiding Commissioner Dave Sansegraw opened with a welcome and said “Thank you all for coming to our Annual Washington County Budget Hearing.”

The Budget Message is in the front of the budget and reads as follows:

“The 2022 Operating Budget for Washington County reflects conservatively estimated revenues totaling $13,229,953.00.

The funds available for the General Revenue Fund total $3,309,344.93. Road and Bridge Funds total $4,119,809.21. The Assessment Fund totals $555,814.40 and the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund totals $2,063,879.59.

Grant Funds totaling $1,000,919.00 are included in the revenue estimates. The Washington County Airport has $14,720.00 available in CARES Act grant funding. The Second District will use Federal Land Access Program grant funding in the amount of $60,000.00 to begin bridge projects on Harmon and Pigeon Roost Roads, and $537,804.00 in BRO grant funding for two BRO Bridge Projects on Delbridge Road. The First District will use $383,861.00 in CDBG grant funding to complete the Goose Creek Bridge and has set aside $96,000.00 in County funds to upgrade a bridge on Cordia Hollow Road.

The Washington County General Revenue Fund received $1,109,019.84 in Sales Tax which was $158,019.84 more than the projected $951,000.00. Use Tax was also up at $498,871.65 which was $88,121.65 more than the projected $410,750.00. With the increased revenue, the Washington County Commission was able to $250,000.00 to the General Revenue Building Fund to close out the 2021 budget year. The balance in the General Revenue Building Fund now totals $1,158,161.54.

The Washington County Commission is constantly striving to upgrade the aging facilities and maintain a safe, accessible, and comfortable working environment for all employees. With those things in mind, the Commission has set aside a portion of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding to build a new administration building for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and renovate the rental property at 106 North Missouri Street for the Juvenile and Extension offices. The Commission has also committed $10,000.00 toward their ongoing commitment to make every office in the Washington County Courthouse ADA accessible.

The 2022 Operating Budget reflects a projected transfer from the General Revenue Building Fund in the amount of $42,516.00. These funds will be used for the above-mentioned ADA projects, and to upgrade IT Equipment in the Washington County Courthouse.

The Washington County Commission is very proud of the men and women who choose to serve Washington County in all capacities. During budget negotiations, the Commission committed a substantial amount of time and effort into restructuring the salary schedules the salary schedules for all departments. The restructuring resulted in a pay raise for all employees and competitive salary schedules designed to maintain a strong County workforce.

/s/ Jeanette Allen
County Clerk/Budget Officer”

Presiding Commissioner Dave Sansegraw thanked the public for the continued support of the County’s business community and noted the continuation of the increased sales tax and use tax numbers. Sansegraw talked about the past ‘couple of years’ and the challenges that everyone has faced and remembered those passed away during the pandemic.

1st District Commissioner Doug Short thanked everyone for the support of the County and local businesses. Short expressed his thanks for the 1/2¢ Sales Tax for Road and Bridge that was renewed in April and that reminded everyone the tax is collected from everyone that spends money in the County, not just residents.
2nd District Cody Brinley talked about the continued public support of our business community and how it continues to help the County overall.

Commissioner Sansegraw asked for questions from those in attendance. No specific subjects were noted.

Doug Short, 1st District Commissioner made the motion to accept the 2022 Budget for the County and Cody Brinley, 2nd District Commissioner seconded the motion. The Budget was approved.

Dave Sansegraw, Presiding Commissioner thanked everyone present again for their attendance and support for Washington County.

The Commissioners then went into regular session for their meeting.