RINCON —  The  number on the bottom line of the City of Rincon’s 2021 budget has some company — clarity and frugality.

Before approving the $13,128,032 budget during its Dec. 14 meeting, the Rincon City Council lauded City Manager John Klimm for the way it was presented.

“I really appreciate — with me being a first timer — you making it very easy for me to understand,” Councilman Patrick Kirkland said.

Longtime Mayor Ken Lee and Councilman Levi Scott echoed those thoughts.

“Patrick, this is one of the first ones that you have seen and I will tell you — and maybe these other council members will tell you as well, I’m sure — that this is a great difference from what we have been accustomed to in the years past and I just want to commend Mr. Klimm and all the department heads, and all those who had input into this document. This is a very professional and thorough budget report.

“It’s not just numbers. As you look through this, it is a plan — and that is excellent — and I will tell you all how much we appreciate it, how much easier it has made our job into having to review these budgets. It gives me great confidence in what you have put together.”

“It’s a good road map for future councils,” Scott added.

Highlights of the 2021 budget include an expenditure for a new pumper vehicle for the Rincon Fire Department, the restoration of funding for two police officers and a two percent cost-of-living adjustment for city employees. 

The 129-page document identifies goals and strategies in six priority areas — public safety, recreation, infrastructure, economic development, financial accountability and good government for Rincon’s 10,229 citizens.

“The budget isn’t everything to everyone. It can’t be,” Klimm said. “But it is, I believe, a reasonable plan to bring us forward while living within our means while keeping our financial burden low for our citizens and taxpayers in Rincon.”  

The budget establishes the direction of all city government programs and services in 2021.

In a message contained in the budget, Klimm wrote, “The Annual Budget allocates resources to a variety of City priorities and programs to ensure the community’s physical security, enhance the community’s quality of life, and maintain and develop the City’s facilities and infrastructure. This policy document represents our continued commitment to prudent fiscal management, to effective service delivery and to supporting an affordable quality of life for our citizens.”

The Rincon Police Department’s 2021 goals include implementing a Citizens Police Academy, replacing old equipment (Tasers, radios, body cameras and weapons) and maintaining its fleet. Its $1,787,926 budget calls for the purchase of a minimum of four vehicles and rotating old ones off the road.

The 11-member Rincon Fire Department’s 2021 goals are to take delivery of a new engine and purchase radios to replace and upgrade. Its budget is $1,095,787.

The primary 2021 goals of the wastewater treatment plant, which features three workers, is to begin the planning process for expansion and maintaining 100 percent compliance with its Environment Protection Agency-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Its 2021 budget is $574,960.

Lost Plantation Golf Club, a longtime drain on the city’s budget, aims to increase its membership from 85 to 107 in 2021. Its four staffers also intend to host a minimum of eight tournaments that generate at least $12,000.

The club’s 2021 budget, which includes $56,894 from the Water and Sewer Fund, and $102,179 from the General Fund, is $719,073. Its course displaces reclaimed water and limits the environmental impact of the city’s wastewater plant, in turn saving the cost of irrigation.

The seven-member city council has a budget of $248,405. Its goals are to maintain fiscally sound financial practices and accountability, and to support and grow a vibrant economy with a diversity of businesses, organizations and services.

City Administrative Services, which includes three employees, has a budget of $240,723. Led by Klimm, its 2021 objectives are to plot a strategy for the future of the fire department, complete the transformation of the golf operation to a profitable one and hire permanent staff for the police and fire departments.

The Finance Department features five employees and a budget of $452092. Their goals for next year include submitted a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with the expectation of receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The department also plans to submit the 2021 budget to the GFOA with the expectation to receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

The City of Rincon revenue sources include taxes, user fees, intergovernmental agreements, licenses and permits, fines, forfeits and penalties, water and sewer impact fees, and interest.

Taxes consist of 30 percent of the total budgeting revenue. This includes $1.4 million from sales tax, $650,000 from insurance premium tax, $500,000 from franchise fees, $376,000 from taxes assessed on alcoholic beverages and other taxes as mandated through state laws and local ordinances. 

Rincon has no property tax. About 65 percent of its total tax revenue comes from the local option sales tax. 

User fees are received for specific services provided by the City of Rincon and represent 53 percent of revenue. About 75 percent of user fee revenue is generated by fire fees and water, sewer and sanitation services.

Rate increases are planned for water and sewer bases charges in 2021 to fund infrastructure improvements. The city will also begin to assess a stormwater fee in 2021 to fund the cost for monitoring stormwater and infrastructure projects.

In addition, a 10 percent hike in the commercial fire fee will be implemented next year.

Total revenue from licenses and permits is expected to increase 5.4 percent in 2021. Fines revenue is projected to rise 11.3 percent.

Operating fund expenditures in 2021 are expected to be $9,857,799, which is 14.4 percent less than 2020’s projections. Personnel services represent 48 percent of expenditures and are comprised primarily of funding for salaries and wages for 66 employees, and a comprehensive benefits program for the employees and their dependents. This category increased $197,319 above 2020 projections.

Health insurance is projected to increase six percent in 2021. The City of Rincon also contributes to a pension plan for its workers.

The budget includes a includes $518,750 in revenue from TSPLOST, a one-percent sales tax pegged for use on  transportation projects that Effingham County voters approved in November.

The budget can be viewed at https://www.cityofrincon.com/Budget.aspx.