Swain County Board of Commissioners allocated an additional $2.883 million in the county’s budget for this fiscal year. Commissions approved their third budget amendment during their regular meeting on Oct. 13. Allocations were made from several revenue sources including $2.524 million from the general fund, $156,000 from human services and $203,000 from sanitation.
County Manager Kevin King reviewed the budget items beginning with $40,000 for Christmas bonuses for employees.
The new bailer has long been needed at the sanitation department, with the county having recently received a one-time federal payment from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund, according to King. This is a revenue enhancement program for counties that share revenue with tribal governments and was adopted by Congress as part of the American Rescue Plan, with funds being released on Sept. 29. Swain County is set to receive $1.56 million total in two payments in 2022 and 2023. A total of $203,000 will go to the sanitation department in the budget amendment for the bailer, and for bonuses.
The budget amendment included $450,000 from capital outlay for Swain Emergency Management Services to get two remounted ambulances equipped with defibrillators that are a big expense on their own at $70,000.
Upon King’s recommendation $1.1 million was allocated for sheriff’s office vehicles (already approved in the budget) instead of getting a loan for the vehicles.
Also, the amendment includes matching funds of up to $250,000 to pursue a broadband grant that could bring $4.4 million for expanded broadband in the county.
The commissioners designated $100,000 in the amendment for scholarships for students pursuing trades field, $200,000 to complete the Swain High School outdoor track repaving and $25,000 for board of elections to raise wages for precinct workers.
Commissioner Danny Burns asked about the sheriff’s vehicles since the pandemic has led to long delays in getting new vehicles. The Sheriff’s Department is set to have five Explorers ready to be suited out with their department’s equipment in early November. There is no word on when the trucks the department ordered will be ready.
The EMS remounted trucks should only take about eight months since they will be refurbished boxes on new chassis.
Burns moved to approve the amendment, seconded by Kevin Seagle with unanimous approval from all present. (Kenneth Parton was running late and unable to attend.)
Other action and public comment
The board appointed Isaac Herrin and Dean Kowal to serve on the Board of Equalization & Review, leaving one seat that still needs to be filled.
During the public comment, Ellen Pitt shared the good news that the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys wanted to administer the CAM bracelet grant for our district because they see it as a
program that could expand statewide. She thanked the Swain County commissioners for spearheading the program and initially agreeing to be the local fiduciary agent for the grant.
“If it had not been for your decision to be the flagship for this program, I don’t believe it would have gotten the attention it did, thank you!” Pitt said.
She also invited the board to attend the 19th Evening of Remembrance to be held in Maggie Valley at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. The event is held in memory of people who were killed by drunk driving.
• Alan Carvalough talked to the board about the need to combat kudzu in the county.
• Cynthia Womble, a member of Swain Clean, thanked the county for participating in a Tuckasegee River cleanup in July and invited them to help again during the Fontana Lake Cleanup planned the first weekend in November. The board indicated that they would help again.
During reports Thursday, there was some discussion about an memorandum of understanding with Swain Tourism and Development Authority for a new building for the fly fishing museum the county is constructing on Island Street. Also, the board discussed a desire for the EV stations approved by the TDA to be spread out at different lots in the county. More discussion is anticipated on both topics next month.
The commissioners will have a work session meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Swain County Administration Building.