A budget for a county path to recovery
We hold fast to hope, even in the midst of these unprecedented times. Though this is one of Shelby County's toughest budget years, we'll come out stronger. The budget I recently proposed to the Shelby County Commission is the road map to our future, to many more years of continuous operation in Shelby County government.
We have worked to put together a budget that is lean and balanced. Much like families across our county, my budget will require us to make tough decisions. Although my budget proposal to the County Commission is lean, it fully funds our pension for our retirees. Although the budget proposes new revenues, it does not propose a property tax increase.
My budget proposes that we refocus County government in light of the moment that we are in. The budget includes strategic investments in education, public safety, public health, and in strengthening the social safety net. If we refocus our efforts in the coming year on those areas, we will make it through this pandemic and we will be in a position, when it's over, to help our working families, our businesses, and our residents to get on the path to recovery. First, we propose expanding and strengthening our social safety net. Because of recent action by the commission, we have been able to get a jumpstart. We will hire more social workers, more personnel to assist our veterans' population, and create a new Covid-assistance fund to provide direct assistance to families hard-hit by this worldwide public health emergency.
Second, our Health Department will be mounting an aggressive effort to protect public health for many months ahead. That includes an expansion of their investigation and contract tracing operation and their research capabilities. That also includes a public-facing operation.
Third, public safety has always been a top priority for this community. This year, we propose funding 30 new additional patrolman positions to patrol soonto-be de-annexed areas.
Fourth, we're going to make sure that our schools are not short-changed. Our budget includes the full $427 million for schools in addition to $33 million in school construction needs this year. We have also updated our five-year plan to set aside an additional $50 million for SCS and an additional $15 million for the municipal school districts, a total of $65 million in new and additional investment.
Finally, it is worth noting that in the coming year, we will be moving forward with other work not necessarily in the budget, but work that does have significant implications. For instance, we plan to restore and expand our investment in our Fire Services. I believe this will be an opportunity to deliver on some long-awaited investment in community.
Additionally, in the coming budget year, we will put the finishing touches on our process to establish the County's first sanitation operation. Before this year is done, we will be providing sanitation services to the residents of Northaven.
Finally, in short order, we will form a committee on Long-term Budget Sustainability. This new committee will help bring solutions to our structural imbalance and identify opportunities for new revenue that do not involve new taxes. The good news is that we have some areas of opportunity.
Make no mistake, this is a tough budget year.
But, I believe we have a real chance to make it through this year without layoffs and with the ability to make strategic investments, fully fund our schools, and continue our work of advancing the public interest. We look forward to working with the Commission and other stakeholders toward a finished product that reflects collaboration. This is Shelby County's opportunity for a comeback.
Lee Harris is mayor of Shelby County.