First adjustments made in New Kent’s proposed $70 million budget for FY2019-20

The first adjustments for the proposed FY2019-20 budget for New Kent County were discussed at the Feb. 27 monthly work session.

County Administrator Rodney Hathaway provide an update on the $70,010,642 proposed operating budget for the next fiscal year. The county administrator said that projected revenues in the general fund have been reduced from $1.6 million to roughly $1.1 million. Hathaway also recommended denying an additional $200,000 to the schools, a number they requested as part of their budget proposal. However, Hathaway said they plan to meet with school leaders to discuss other ways to assist the schools.

Hathaway said among additional cuts from his earlier presentation include reducing the information technology’s budget by $115,000, and the elimination of a proposed DSS program coordinator position at a cost of $14,687.

The county administrator did present good news. Employee health insurance was projected at 8.5 percent. That figure dropped substantially to 3.6 percent, amounting to a savings of $93,684.

County leaders will continue to work with Hathaway on the budget and will receive feedback during a public hearing from citizens at a future meeting.