County Board Retreat Covers Wide Range of Topics

As of Friday, November 19, 2010

A 5 percent budget cut may be in store for Moore County for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

County Manager Cary McSwain mentioned that percentage level Thursday afternoon during the Moore County Board of Commissioners’ business mini-retreat on the economic impact on local budgets.

“The new year won’t be a good budget year,” McSwain admitted.

The disclosure came during the wrap-up period at the end of the day-long retreat at the Senior Enrichment Center. The commissioners heard presentations on the condition of banks, legislative prospects, the education picture, economic development, tourism, home builders, the college and FirstHealth.

Although most of the reports emphasized the bleak condition of the economy, there were cautious signs of hope, such as a report that nine companies have this year announced plans to expand or build new facilities creating 395 new jobs and involving investments in excess of $5.3 million in Moore County.

McSwain also announced that thus far in the 2010-11 fiscal year, county revenues exceed expenditures 40 percent to about 29 percent. Tax Administrator Wayne Vest added that his office has already collected about 65 percent of property taxes.

But sales tax collections continue to lag, the home building recovery is very slow, and the state revenue shortfall will mean local cuts of $7.3 million in state appropriations to the Moore County Public Schools.

The commissioners did not rule out budget cuts as high as 10 or 15 percent, and Chairman Tim Lea pointed out that School Superintendent Susan Purser mentioned cuts of 10 percent in her budget.

More details about the retreat will appear in a series of articles in the print version of The Pilot.

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deidretg 2 years, 6 months ago

"The commissioners did not rule out budget cuts as high as 10% or 15%"

"The new year won't be a good budget year, McSwain admitted."

These statements are just for us uninformed citizens who don't see the broader vision for this county.

Here are the statements for those with the broader and more informed vision for this county:

"Moore County is being faced with a bond issue to replace government buildings, etc. $300,000,000. Moore County is networking with other entities and counties to see what is working for them" .........T. Cary McSwain, NC Cooperative Extension State Advisory Council, Feb 28,2007

"McSwain said the Thursday vote clears the way for the county immediately to move ahead with construction ($27,000,000+) of the detention center and public safety facilities." .........T. Cary McSwain, The Pilot, September 24, 2010

While every 'swingin' body in this county gets a piece of the deep cuts that are coming like an unending nightmare, you can bet that T. Cary McSwain's vision remains full steam ahead, full throttle, wide open to that $300,000,000 mark. We have generations of folks who have lived, worked hard and saved in this county to build a future for themselves and their children who are watching a big city (Columbia, South Carolina), high dollar spender ($300,000,000) and relative newcomer (4 years) absolutely trash our future with his mindboggling leadership.

Don't think this is the end of it, either. T. Cary's got one more Columbia, SC style multi-story high rise on the table right now. It won't be long before he will have a top floor suite in the new multi-story high rise Governmental Building that is part of his grand vision.

Bottom Line: 56 days after T. Cary picks up the phone (Sep 23 to the LGC) and gets $50,000,000+ so he can start immediately building prisoner suites to the tune of $95,000+ for each cell, he's in effect telling the long time, long suffering citizens of this county that they are just going to have to suck it up one more time for the greater good of "THE VISION'.

How in the world anybody can say that this is what they were hoping for from this guy when he blew into town is beyond me. Then again, there is that 'future corporate benefit' to come out of all of this by two of our sitting commissioners. OK. You're right, why did I even ask?