ICYMI: Rockingham County Set to Receive $27.7 Million in State Budget

Sen. Berger and Rep. Pyrtle secure key funding for local infrastructure improvements

Raleigh, N.C. — The state budget approved by the General Assembly includes more than $27.7 million for projects in Rockingham County. Sen. Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and Rep. Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) secured the funds for critical infrastructure improvements and public safety upgrades.

Beyond the local projects, the revised state budget includes additional funding for school safety initiatives and prepares our state to weather a potential recession. Republicans in the General Assembly have spent the last decade ensuring North Carolina would be on sturdy financial footing to avoid making the same mistakes the Democrats did leading up to the last recession. This revised budget continues that preparation by establishing a new “Stabilization and Inflation Reserve” in anticipation of a recession.

“This budget prepares our state for economic uncertainty and provides vital funding for our local communities to make crucial infrastructure improvements,” Sen. Berger and Rep. Pyrtle said. “These allocations are integral to the future of Rockingham County. We look forward to continuing to work with our local partners to ensure funding for infrastructure and public safety remains a top priority.”

The state budget includes the following allocations for Rockingham County:

• $500,000 for the United Way of Rockingham County to be split between the Eden Rescue Squad ($50,000), the Eden Boys & Girls Club ($200,000), the Hospice of Rockingham County ($125,000), and the United Way of Rockingham County ($125,000).
• $450,000 directed to Rockingham County to be used for the Reidsville, Morehead, McMichael, and Rockingham athletic facilities ($50,000 each), the Stoneville Police Department ($160,000), and the Stoneville Town Hall generator ($90,000).
• $50,000 each for the Reidsville and Madison Rescue Squads.
• $17,785,000 for Rockingham County for various county water and sewer projects.
• $3.5 million to the town of Mayodan to be used for wastewater plant and sewer rehabs.
• $1 million for the town of Madison for water and sewer improvements.
• $860,000 for the city of Eden for equipment for the fire department ($360,00) and the city’s storage tank ($500,000).
• $250,000 for the town of Wentworth.
• $500,000 for the city of Reidsville for the police department ($210,000) and water and sewer improvements ($290,000).
• $1.3 million for the Ruffin Fire Department to construct a facility and purchase a new vehicle.
• $487,000 to create three new positions at the Mayo River Park and to purchase new equipment.
• $1 million to purchase additional land for the Dan River Trail.

The budget increases most state employee salaries by 3.5%. Over the biennium state employees will receive a 6% raise. The budget increases the salary for entry-level teachers, and on average teachers will receive a 4.2% pay raise. Over the biennium, including bonuses, teachers will receive an average 14.2% additional compensation. Noncertified public school employees, like bus drivers, will receive either a 4% pay raise or an increase to $15/hour, whichever is greater.

To address school safety concerns the budget provides an additional recurring $15 million for the School Resource Officer Grant program, specifically for elementary and middle schools. It also increases the state match for the School Resource Officer Grant program for most school districts to $4 per every $1 in non-state funds. The budget allocates $26 million more to the At-Risk allotment to help school districts meet the average salary of school resource officers.

The budget also provides an additional $32 million for the School Safety Grant program for student support, school safety training, and safety equipment in schools.

The Center for Safer Schools is required to gather data on existing school safety systems, policies, and procedures. It will report that information and any recommendations for improving school safety to the General Assembly.

The budget was approved with bipartisan supermajorities in both the House and Senate on June 30 and July 1. Gov. Roy Cooper has until July 11 to sign the budget into law, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.