LELAND — Now that Leland is no longer responsible for funding its EMS system – now being taken over by Brunswick County – no tax increase is necessary to balance the town’s upcoming 2019-2020 budget.
Last month, the town included a 4-cent, 19 percent tax increase in its draft budget. With Brunswick County set to assume the town’s EMS system at a lower cost, Leland’s overall budget lightened by $1.4 million.
Related: Tax increase proposed in Leland for 2019-2020, budget talks next week
Leland Council will hold a budget hearing in June, which Council may then opt to approve. The 2019-2020 budget will take effect on July 1, 2019.
Budget highlights
With $27 million in operating expenses, the fifth-fastest growing town in the state is adding 12 new full-time positions.
- This includes a new construction inspector and project manager, who will answer to the now-vacant position of town engineer. A purchasing agent will be added to the town’s Finance Department.
- A new public utilities crew leader and streets maintenance crew leader and will get their respective new utilities maintenance worker and streets maintenance worker. Leland Police Department will add on both a new investigator and sergeant.
- Parks and Facilities will receive two new maintenance workers and two seasonal camp counselor. And finally, the Planning Department will add on its own Geographic Information Systems analyst.
- A new $30 municipal vehicle tax is being introduced, which will add an estimated $525,000 in revenues. These revenues will be used toward funding road maintenance and repairs.
- System development fees will remain the same, bringing in an estimated $2.8 million for sewer and $510,000 for water.
- In March, Council approved a motion to increase fire fees by 20 percent. This will take effect when the new budget cycle begins.
In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, as of mid-May 16, Leland has spent $2,249,223 on expenses relating to Hurricane Florence. The 2019-2020 budget does not include a line item for anticipated hurricane expenses.
Leland’s governing body legal budget will dip back down to $150,000 in 2019-2020 after more than doubling in April to $515,000.
Check out the town’s full 2019-2020 draft budget ahead of the June 3, 6 p.m. public hearing at Leland Town Hall.
Send tips and comments to Johanna Ferebee at johanna@localvoicemedia.com
