‘Not sure what to expect’: Washington County aims for leaner 2023 budget

ST. GEORGE — Washington County officials are proposing a somewhat leaner budget for 2023 due to a drop in one-time funding and economic uncertainty moving into the new year.

Washington County Clerk/Auditor Susan Lewis shares a break down the midterm election results with the Washington County Commission, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

This year’s budget is ending at over $174 million with next year slated for $159 million. A chunk of the increase Washington County’s 2022 budget received came from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, Washington County Clerk/Auditor Susan Lewis said.

Last year also saw a jump in sales tax due to increased visitation to the county brought on by three separate Ironman events. Additional revenue also came in through property taxes that saw an increase from the county’s continuing growth.

Unlike sales tax and federal grants, property taxes are considered a stable source of revenue for taxing entities like the county. The county anticipates collecting an estimated $28 million in combined sales, property and other taxes and use fees in 2023.

“We’re not getting any more of this,” Lewis said of the federal aid and grant funds and international sporting events as she spoke to St. George News about the county’s proposed budget for next year.

Concerns over the economic future of the new year due to inflation and related issues have also loomed over the budgeting process that began in early summer.

“We’re told we’re going into a recession,” Lewis said. “We’re not sure what to expect. Truth is, we’re budgeting conservatively because we don’t have a crystal ball or three Ironman races next year. We’ll have less visitation and less sales tax.”

Money from federal grants and APRA and CARES Act funding that isn’t likely to come around again is counted as one-time funding and is being applied to the beginning phases of an expansion for the Purgatory Correctional Facility.

The Washington County Administration Building rises over the long-time building used to house county services for several decades, St. George, Dec. 6, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. General News

The project is currently in the design phase and will see the addition of a new wing dedicated to mental and physical health care, as well as a remodel of the jail’s booking area.

The capital projects fund for the 2023 budget is set at $24.9 million.

This includes transfers made from various departments for the new Washington County Administration Building and adjacent parking structure. These projects are not being funded by federal grants, but rather by money saved by the county over many years for the purpose of constructing a newer, larger county building.

The new Administration Building is meant to bring the majority of county services under one roof while also providing room to grow.

The budget’s general fund, which covers the bulk of the administrative services the county offers with the exception of municipal services, is the largest portion of the overall budget at $42.9 million.

An estimated 45% of that goes to public safety – namely the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Purgatory Correctional Facility at $17.6 million. In the county’s municipal services fund, which provides town-like services to its unincorporated communities, patrol services provided by the Sheriff’s Office come in at $8.6 million.

The second largest fund within the overall budget is capital projects at $24.9 million, followed by tourism office funding at $19.5 million, then municipal services at $12 million.

In this The Washington County Commission during a meeting certifying the results of the midterm election, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Individual departments within the varying funds have seen some decrease in funding as the County Commission has asked them to tighten up their budget moving into next year due to inflationary pressures.

“We tried to make sure we were as frugal as possible,” Lewis said. “Many departments have less than was budgeted last year.”

A way to “tighten up the budget” has included not filling particular positions if the level of service their department provides isn’t overly impacted. Examples have also given were of departments finding cheaper suppliers for stationary and other needs.

While wage adjustments are planned for some employers based on their departments and level of experience, Lewis said, no tax increases have been proposed for the new year.

The County Commission was given a preview of the proposed 2023 budget during its Nov. 15 meeting.

Elements of the budget are subject to change until its pending adoption, Lewis said.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for the County Commission’s Dec. 20 meeting. Following the public hearing, the commission will vote on whether to adopt the budget.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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