Richmond County Manager Jim Haynes gave his last “State of the County Report” Monday night.

Commissioner Thad Ussery commented that it was a good report to go out on.

At the beginning of fiscal year 2009 to 2010 on July 1, Haynes is retiring.

Copies of “Measuring Our Progress from 2008 and Looking Forward” are available at the County Manager’s Office, Administration Building, South Hancock Street, Rockingham.

It is a detailed report for each department in the county: Aging Services, Board of Elections, Cooperative Extension, Emergency Services, Finance Department, Health Department, Planning and GIS, Public Works, Register of Deeds, Sheriff’s Office, Social Services, Tax Office, Richmond County Libraries and Solid Waste Enforcement.

He summarized the report Monday night for commissioners in which he updated the county’s economic situation.

In 2008, the county was able to lower the property tax rate after revaluation by 12 cents to 81 cents. With revaluation of some properties upward, there were tax increases although the rate went down. Overall, the tax rate brought in the same amount of revenue as before and became “revenue-neutral.”

Taxpayers paying taxes early got a one percent discount which amounted to some $53,000 in savings to them.

During the past year, the tax office increased the collection rate by one percent which is equal to $230,000 which saves taxpayers a penny on taxes.

Investments

Soon to be on the tax books are two major economic investments in the county.

SRB Holdings will open a 310,000-square-foot distribution center with work scheduled to begin there in August. That represents a $10 million investment.

Progress Energy has begun work on a $700 million expansion of its plant on Energy Way.

The county will soon market its fourth shell building for use by an industry.

Marketing efforts are being evaluated to expand to reach a larger audience.

“We continue to promote factors which contribute to the county’s growth, such as our access to major highways and rail facilities, our availability of water and electric power and our proximity to major metropolitan areas,” Haynes said.

The county is working with the Base Realignment and Closure Regional Task Force, he said, to assure citizens may benefit from regional growth and development.

Staff

Haynes said a qualified and dedicated staff keeps the wheels of government spinning in the county.

“With more than 26 percent of Richmond County’s population now over the age of 55, services offered through the Aging Services Department are more important than ever,” he said.

During the first quarter of 2009, more than 6,000 meals were served at three centers operated by the county at Rockingham, East Rockingham and Ellerbe. The Hamlet Senior Center is operated by the City of Hamlet.

In addition, 5,000 meals were delivered to the homebound.

This year, he said, the Sheriff’s Office has developed a new Web site with information from how to stay safe on the Internet to advice on how to stay safe from sex offenders, information on credit card fraud, links to helpful information on crime and safety, and contact information. Go to www.richmondcountysheriff.net.

In the past election, 19,501 votes were cast. “In addition to maintaining accuracy at the polls, the Board of Elections Office also worked to open three One-Stop Voting Sites in the county to make the process of voting more accessible to citizens,” Haynes said.

Water projects

The Richmond County Water Department serves 17,500 citizens every day.

The Southeast Water Project was completed installing 19 miles of new water lines on a number of roads in the southeastern section of the county.

Two new water storage tanks were built including a 750,000-gallon tank on U.S. 220 North, Rockingham; and a 300,000-gallon tank on Old Gibson Road, Hamlet. A new pump station was built on Silver Grove Church Road, Rockingham.

Of the 43,933 calls at Emergency Services (911), 45 percent were from wireless phones in the past year, Haynes said.

In the Health Department’s clinics, more than 7,000 people were treated. Environmental health specialists inspected all food establishments and all public swimming pools were inspected.

Haynes said most of the work done by county employees goes unnoticed, “but the county depends on employees to carry out these important services taxpayers have come to depend upon.”

Other items

His report also includes:

n Senior centers plan to expand the In-Home Aide Program to serve more clients and to recruit and maintain more volunteers.

n County election results are now posted on the county’s Web site, precinct by precinct as reported.

n Extension Service helped 255 farmers, businesses and homeowners last year maintain their Pesticide Certification Licenses by offering required classes and assisted 27 food service managers complete an 18-hour Safe Food Handling Program.

n Emergency Services will be installing software to interface addressing and GIS.

n The Finance Department has been working to be sure county departments are able to maintain the budget spending freeze imposed by commissioners.

n With a grant from the Richmond Community Foundation, the Health Department enrolled over 327 people in the Community Care Clinic providing comprehensive health care to those without medical insurance. Also, the Pharmacy Assistance Program provided 2,684 free prescriptions.

n Planning and GIS will continue to expand the county’s GIS capabilities and provide public access to property records and maps through the Internet.

n Public Works is seeking to expand the water treatment plant to treating from seven to 11 million gallons of water a day.

n The Register of Deeds Office has a new Web site at www.richmondrod.net.

n In Social Services, the Work First Family Assistance Program has a new Web site at www.richmondcountyworkfirst.com.

n The Tax Office now can collect property taxes online by credit card or electronic check.

n Richmond County libraries report that residents are utilizing materials at libraries more as the economy weakens.

n Solid Waste Enforcement reported that during 2008, workers removed 68 tons of trash from Richmond County roadways.

Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.