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The decision to approve the county budget without giving the school system an additional $1.9 million came after a presentation by Finance Officer Linda Taylor. The vote was unanimous with Commissioner Carolyn Johnson absent.
Taylor said in an initial review of school system records there were two major concerns — 24 months of bank statements which have not been reconciled and the system’s 2008 audit not being completed.
Taylor said the county was still reviewing other financial documents received from the school system. When asked by board Chairman Gene Minton was there any reason the school system should receive additional funds, Taylor said there was not.
Minton said following the meeting he doesn’t expect a legal battle with the school system. “We responded to every concern they had,” he said.
As the county continues to review the school system’s records, Minton said of the financial picture, “It’s hard to get a feel for it. They’ve not given us anything to show they have got a real need.”
Minton said it bothers him the school system has not reconciled its bank records in two years, which will force the system to have to pay for an outside audit before the 2008 audit can be done.
The county is slated to give the county school system $2,818,230 in current expense funds and $516,801 in capital outlay funds, which is based on average daily membership.
The county has said the school system’s request for additional funds would mean a 10.2 cent tax increase in a budget year with no tax increase. “We treat everyone the same,” Minton said, explaining if the county gave Halifax additional funds, it would have to do the same for Roanoke Rapids and Weldon, which did not ask for extra money.
The county’s budget contains no proposed tax increase, holding the rate at 68 cents per $100. No services or jobs were cut.
Commissioner Rives Manning made the motion to approve the budget while James Pierce made the second.
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