Richland County Government Annual Budget Fiscal Year 2009 / 2010

Budget MessageFY2010AdoptedFY2009Adopted%ChangeSolid Waste 26,301,863 27,327,385 (3.7)%Broad River Utility 5,598,694 6,360,075 (12.0)%Lower Richland Utility 240,127 92,430 159.0%Pond Drive Utility 9,559 9,580 (0.2)%Hopkins Utility 55,202 42,000 31.4%Parking Garage 299,850 119,850 150%Owens Field 614,356 287,430 113%Total 33,119,651 34,238,750 (3.3)%Total Personal expenditures increased $199k or 6.2% in FY2010 due to a new airport manager position beingadded to the airport operations fund as well as for anticipated increases in retirement expenditures andworker’s compensation. Operating expenditures remained relatively constant and capital expendituresdecreased approximately $500k or 25%.Looking Toward the FutureManaging funding requirements for future operational needs often offers a great challenge and the enterprisefunds are no different with each fund presenting its own unique challenge.Solid Waste Fund…The annual operating budget has grown $15.6 million or 145% since 2001resulting in over a 100% increase in the ad valorem taxes levied and over 200% in the budget for thecollection fee. The increase was initially driven by better operational projections in required fundingand capital costs associated with the closure of a county landfill. Over the last couple of years, thehauler contractual costs have risen significantly, largely due to surging fuel prices. The Countyrenegotiated the hauler contracts at the end of FY2008 in an effort to stabilize the exponentialgrowth of expenditures in the fund. The Solid Waste budget, specifically the hauler contractualpayments, will continue to be closely monitored in FY2010 to assist in developing a long-termfunding strategy for this fund.Broad River Sewer System…A bond was issued in FY2004 to replace the existing Broad RiverWastewater treatment facility by upgrading to an activated sludge system to improve performancethrough the use of current technology and extending the capacity of the system. In 2007, due torevised project costs, an additional bond was issued for funding of the project. Funding the start-upcost and the additional operating requirements as the facility comes online will offer a greatopportunity for fiscal strategies. The county evaluated and updated the fee structure to support thesystem in FY2007.Airport Operations…$3.0 million in bonds, in conjunction with a $1.8 million match from the FederalAviation Administration (FAA) was issued by the county in 2004 to fund the construction of a newterminal building and add hangers to the county airport. Additional annual grants from the FAA forconstruction were awarded for FY2007, FY2008, and FY2009. The incremental increases inoperating cost as a result of the new construction began to be realized in the FY2006 budget. Asestimates of the additional operating costs are better refined, there may be a need for the county torevisit hanger rental and user fees for potential increases to continue to make the fund selfsupported.The plan before you balances the need for necessary requirements for services within projected resourceswhile meeting the County’s budget objectives. This Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Plan represents CountyCouncil’s plan for Richland County to remain a productive community while maintaining fiscal stability forfuture years.13