Executive Insight

Last week, I provided a brief overview of where the tax money collected from you, the citizens, is allocated. This week, I will go into the county’s total budget for this year. The total budget comprises all funds received from various sources and is then appropriated into three primary divisions: Education, Highway, and County General. While percentages fluctuate slightly from year to year, they remain relatively consistent annually. These are the numbers for the budget year we are in now.

The County Commission is responsible for setting the budget, and I believe they do a great job in fulfilling this role. Property tax collected from county property owners constitutes only 15% of the county’s revenue. All taxes collected from citizens account for just 26% of the total revenue. Remarkably, nearly three-quarters (74%) of our revenue comes from sources other than local taxpayers.

Here is the breakdown of where our revenue comes from:

• 48% from the State of Tennessee: Primarily for funding schools, roads, and state grants.
• 26% from local taxes: Including property tax, sales tax, and fees.
• 15% from the federal government: Mainly for education and federal grants.
• 6% from charges for services: Primarily ambulance service charges.
• 4% categorized as other revenues: Including lease payments, sales of recyclables, sale of equipment, and donations.
• 1% from fees collected from county offices.

Regarding the total budget, here is how your tax dollars are allocated in White County:

• 59% to Education: Managed by the School Board.
• 15% to Health and Welfare: Funding EMS, Health Department, Solid Waste, animal shelter, and more.
• 12% to Justice and Safety: Supporting the Sheriff’s Office, jail, and court system.
• 7% to General Government: Covering the operation of the courthouse, all elected officials, finance, central maintenance, and other departments.
• 5% to the Highway Department.
• 2% to Debt Service.

When the commissioners allocate this funding, it is then up to the department heads to stay within their budget and disperse their funds to execute the operation of their department.

White County must meet a minimum funding requirement to qualify for state and federal dollars. While there are a few departments, such as the Sheriff’s Department, we fund beyond what is mandated and some departments we fund or donate to—such as donations to county fire departments, rescue squad, EMA, Parks & Rec, Animal Control and etc. Other than those few things, our budget is set by state law.

This brief overview of the county’s finances is to provide you with a better understanding of how your money is managed and allocated. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our community.

Thanks, D.W.