http://66.225.205.104/LM20100604.mp3
Mecklenburg County commissioners have tentatively decided to not cut schools, libraries and parks as deeply as the county manager advised. For the most part, it's not a matter of finding savings elsewhere in the budget, but of boosting how much money the county expects to collect in sales tax next year. Commissioners narrowed next year's budget gap by $10 million last night with the raise of a few hands. The board's six Democrats agreed the county should expect to generate the same amount of sales tax next year as it will likely this year - not less as County Manager Harry Jones projects. Before the budget discussion began last night, Jones warned them once again not to be tempted to do this. "Raising the sales tax revenue projection for fiscal year 2011, I believe, is playing with fire because it will result in a very high risk that we will have to make mid-year cuts in services for the third year in a row," said Jones. But if commissioners are right, it could save some teachers' jobs and prevent at least a few library branches from closing next year. Under the board's plan, CMS would receive $6 million more than what Jones recommended, the libraries an additional $3.5 million, and Park and Recreation an extra $1 million. Commissioner Dumont Clarke said it's a safe bet to make since the economy is beginning to recover and the state is even projecting a slight increase in sales tax revenue. "I heard the manager caution us to be ultra conservative and speak about the volatility, but I think it's very reasonable to expect our actual sales tax collections next year will be the same amount as we expect them to be in the current fiscal year," said Clarke. But Republicans argued against it. Commissioner Neil Cooksey said tinkering with the sales tax projection is just a matter of stalling the inevitable. "I'm concerned that if we create an additional $10 million out of thin air, which this appears to be doing, that we'll use that to put off some really hard decisions that need to be taken this year," said Cooksey. Commissioners also agreed to raise the police service tax for county residents living in unincorporated areas by 2.58 cents. Those residents have been paying less for policing than all other people in the county. Republicans objected to the increase, saying CMPD hasn't provided the same quality of service to those residents. CPCC and the Work Release and Restitution Center operated by the Sheriff's Office were also in better positions after last night's straw votes. Commissioners agreed to give them both an extra $1 million above what Jones recommended. This would keep the restitution center open. The board will adopt a budget on June 15th. That's when all the budget decisions are expected to be finalized.