Apr. 22—Cumberland County's local option sales tax collections are nearly $300,000 below budgeted projections for the fiscal year, Jennifer Turner, Cumberland County finance director reported during April's county commission meeting.

Turner said sales tax collections were $1,130,567 which was $95,723 below budgeted projections. Year to date, Turner said, collections are $296,143 below budget. She suggested it could be because the weather was bad in January and these figures include January collections.

Nancy Hyder, 2nd District commissioner, said, "I believe it's because of the grocery sales [tax] being taken off. That's what's got us behind."

Turner said she anticipates the funds will be made up over the next couple of months.

Local option sales taxes are used primarily for funding the Cumberland County General Purpose School Fund.

In other areas of the county's financial standings, Turner reported EMS collections were $397,131, which is above the budgeted monthly amount of $366,667. Year to date, EMS collections are $72,378 ahead of budgeted projections with total collections of $3,372,377.

"They are ahead and should finish the year at the $4.4 million projection," Turner said.

She said property tax collections are at 99.29% of budget year projections

Hotel and motel tax collections were $851,446 of a projected $1,308,411 of the 2023-'24 budget compared to $856,923 at this point last year.

Turner reported prisoner boarding collections from the state are currently at $231,440, which is 54% of a $423,925 budget projection. She said they are currently at seven months of revenue collections received from the state.

Earlier in the meeting, Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster reported Cumberland County's new codes department issued 51 building permits, 36 general mechanical permits, and 46 general plumbing permits during the month of March. Foster said a total of $65,201 in fees was collected for the county.

The county commission also approved the following budget amendment resolutions:

—$33,500 for the general purpose school fund for contracted services.

—$40,000 for general purpose school fund certified substitute teachers, maintenance and repair services, contracted services and travel.

—$60,000 for the central cafeteria fund for food service equipment.

—$60,184 for the general purpose school fund for the North Kids Club Grant.

—$85,000 for the central cafeteria fund for food service equipment.

—$96,400 for the central cafeteria fund for food supplies.

—$802,554.24 for the general purpose school fund for summer learning programs for grades of K-8.

—$5,000 for the county's general fund for office supplies for the county clerk's office.

—$14,465 for school resource officer special patrols and training grants.

—$18,720 for the sanitation fund for building improvements at the Woody convenience center.

—$50,000 for the sanitation fund to accept grant funds for equipment at the recycling center.

—$74,145 for the sanitation fund to accept grant funds for automotive fluid recycling equipment at the recycling center.