2010-2011 Budget Cycle

It’s budget time again—for both the City of Sanford and for Lee County. The County and City Managers have presented their budgets and deliberations are underway. Tonight the Sanford City Council pondered Hal Hegwer’s revised budget submission (http://www.sanfordnc.net/Proposed%20Budget%2010-11.PDF) along with a motion and discussion from Council regarding a possible tax rate reduction and the possible set-aside of $75,000 in new funding for non-profits. Councilman Sam Gaskins had previously conceived of the notion to reduce municipal property taxes by a penny per hundred, a novel and commendable gesture that would provide movement in the right direction from our high existing tax rate. Tonight, Councilman Mike Stone made the motion to get the process rolling for a tax rate reduction and to alert the community of an unexpected $75K windfall of funds emanating from the ABC accounts. Mr. Stone motioned these funds be set aside as a means of support for the non-profits of the community, as has been recently requested.  There seemed to be a good deal of support among council members for this initiative. 

Not everyone agrees with the City getting involved in funding non-profits with precious tax resources. This debate is as hotly contested as the debate about whether to use tax revenues to fund incentives and grants for new and existing corporate development in the county.  It should be noted the City of Sanford has been funding non-profits for over a decade. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars have been used in the past to fund the Temple Theater, Lee County Industries, and the Railroad House Museum, all non-profits. The Boys and Girls Club -- a magnificent local charity – recently petitioned the Council for funding assistance, which caused a good bit of discussion and debate, culminating in tonight’s marathon Council Meeting. Many of the local non-profits stood tonight, in public comment, to share the purpose and scope of their organizations and to outline the value they add to the local community. As the Council noted, all are worthy contributors to the quality of life in Sanford.

In the end, Mike Stone’s motion to reduce taxes and to set aside some funds for non-profits was tabled for further analysis and impact. But it was still refreshing to see just how passionate citizens are about our non-profit agencies. I anticipate the Council will find a way to develop a suitable funding policy, then to find a way of brokering those funds equitably through the United Way or other such agency. I was proud to see Council embrace the public comments and I pray Mr. Stone’s motion for the tax rate reduction and the funding set-aside for non-profits will be passed this month.

For the record:  I advocated tonight for the Bread of Life Ministries (BOLM) and the Sanford Outreach Mission (OM), both of which my family and church support with prayer, volunteer time, and money.     In a future blog column I will highlight the roles of these and other non-profits in elevating the quality of life here, and in helping those less fortunate persevere these tough economic conditions.