2 days ago
Waynesville workers' Christmas bonus hinges on economy
Jun. 4—Waynesville town workers could find a one-time bonus in their Christmas paychecks his December.
But only if the Grinch doesn't swoop down from the mountains and shout "Bah Humbug."
As has been the norm for the last several budget cycles, town leaders have been cautious when forecasting sales tax revenue. Towns get a cut of the state sales tax collections, but it's contingent on consumer spending. With the economy showing signs of contracting, Waynesville's budget makers were cautious about counting on sales tax to count on.
Too cautious for the liking of Councilman Jon Feichter.
Feichter questioned Finance Director Ian Barrett's forecast of sales tax revenue rising just 1% — going from $4.68 million to $4.73 million — in the town's budget plan for fiscal year 2025-26 that was approved by town council last month.
Citing a history of under-budgeting sales tax revenue over the past several town budgets, Feichter asked about adjusting the forecast upward with the additional money going to town employees. The budget approved by town council contains a 1% cost-of-living adjustment and a 2.5% merit raise for those advancing in their career track.
Feichter analyzed the town's last seven available audits and found that sales tax revenue has been typically underbudgeted by the town, by anywhere from 1% to 30%. The town underestimated sales tax revenue by 12% and 6% in the last two available audits, he said.
"In 2021, coming out of COVID, we undershot by almost 30 percent, which ended up being almost $1 million," Feichter said. "I totally get that is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. The next year was 12%, and that was $500,000. Even in 2023, when we were out of COVID, it was $266,000."
Feichter lauded the conservative approach to the budget but argued that making a modest increase in projected sales tax revenue is warranted based on historical trends
"Traditionally, we under budget as far as sales tax," Feichter said. "Could we bump that number (1%) a little higher?" A projected increase would allow the town to increase the cost-of-living adjustment, for example, he added.
"The question is, are we being too conservative based on historical evidence?" Feichter added. "Can we nudge that number and still be safe?"
Barrett said the 1% forecasted rise in the sales tax was based on guidance from the N.C. League of Municipalities of projecting sales tax growth of no more than 2%. The main reason is uncertainty over the state of the economy because of increased tariffs being imposed by President Donald Trump, he said.
"Right now, we are being conservative budgeting revenues," Barrett said. "Things are starting to simmer down. I know in March there was some uncertainty when the tariffs started to come into effect. We have seen things take more of a calm approach. It was calmer than before."
Sales tax revenue took a hit following Tropical Storm Helene last September but started to rebound around the holidays last December. That trend has continued as sales tax revenue for the first eight months of the current fiscal year is running about 2.5% above what was budgeted.
"So far, distributions this spring have been pretty strong," Barrett said. "We are confident we will get that 1% for the (2025-26) fiscal year."
Councilman Anthony Sutton agreed with Barrett's conservative approach and that town council should not make any adjustments to the budget in the short term.
"We are possibly heading into a recession," Sutton said. "It would be best to be very conservative. If we do get an increase, then we can make budget amendments as we see them."
Councilman Chuck Dickson noted the Haywood Tourism Development Authority is forecasting a dip in occupancy tax revenue in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Dickson sits on the TDA board.
"This may be a year of more uncertainty than any that I have seen," Dickson said. "We don't know what the heck is going to happen. There is an indication already that reservations are down. They might not end up down because there is a marketing campaign that is getting ready to start and people may be delaying their reservations."
Waynesville's sales tax projections also align with other government entities in Haywood, said Waynesville Town Manager Robert Hites. If sales tax revenue comes in higher than forecasted, the town should first need to reimburse its savings account, he said.
The fiscal plan approved by town council includes using around $160,000 from its fund balance, or savings account, to balance the budget.
"If you get more sales tax revenue it would simply be recorded as a reduction in the fund balance we are appropriating," Hites said.
Conservative forecasting is needed, said Councilor Julie Freeman, who the agreed with Feichter that any extra leftover sales tax revenue be given to employees, suggesting a possible Christmas bonus.
"These are uncertain times," Freeman said. "The number one thing we need to do is take care of our employees because they are the greatest asset we have in this community."
Hites said an across-the-board bonus would benefit more of the town's employees.
"It provides a higher percentage of income to the lowest paid employees," Hites said.
Everyone else has bonuses coming
Canton leaders were insistent on keeping their employee's Christmas bonus of $1,000 in this year's budget despite shortfalls due to a loss in more than $1 million in property taxes from the mill.
Clyde has budgeted $300 Christmas bonuses for full-time and $150 bonuses for part-time employees for this year.
Maggie Valley gives out a bonus in November based on employee longevity, ranging from $150 to $1,000. But the town doesn't refer to them as Christmas bonuses per se, according to Town Manager Vickie Best. Those checks
Likewise, Haywood County employees will get $200 bonuses for full-time workers, while part-timers will receive $25.
