RKL has finished its independent audit of Northampton County finances as of 12/31/2020. This report has yet to appear in the county's webpage, but shows a county in great financial shape. Here are siome highlights.
Assets exceeded liabilities at the end of the year by $139.5 million.
There are $2.5 million in unrestricted net assets of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
The county's total net position increased by $48.8 million. In addition, the governmental fund balance increased $14 million.
Investments in capital assets increased $21.2 million as the County continues to replace or refurbish County bridges as well as construction of a new forensics center.
OPEB liability and related accounts decreased $5 million due to differences in actuarial estimates in both benefits paid and expected investment earnings in 2020.
Pension liability and related accounts decreased $7 million due to differences in actuarial estimates in both claims paid and expected investment earnings in 2020.
Liability to P-3 contractor increased $5.6 million.
Total debt decreased $11 million (8.7%) during 2020.
At the close of 2020 the County’s governmental funds reported an ending fund balance of $131.1 million, an increase of $14 million. This is primarily due to the following activity in 2020: (1) Intergovernmental revenue increased $60.7 million due to federal and state Covid-19 pandemic relief funds.
(2) Hotel tax revenue decreased $1.2 million due to the Covid-19 pandemic government mandated shut down.
(3) Investment earnings decreased $2.2 million due to market uncertainties during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(4) Capital Projects fund balance decreased $14.9 million, mainly due to the capitalization of a new forensic center.
(5) Gracedale Nursing Home fund balance increased $10.4 million due to the timing of receipts of the InterGovernmental Transfer revenue and additional federal and state Covid-19 pandemic relief funds.
(6) HealthChoices fund balance increased $8 million. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, members did not drop off the program, resulting in increased membership. Additionally, members were not using services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(7) Open Space fund balance increased $1.8 due to a prior period adjustment
(8) Tax base growth generated approximately $681,842 in additional general fund real estate tax revenue.
(9) At the end of 2020, the unassigned fund balance, that which is available for spending at the government’s discretion in the general fund, was $54 million, or 39% of total general fund expenditures.
(10) $17.6 million of the unassigned fund balance represents funds designated as financial stabilization. (rainy day fund)
7 comments:
So the report is quite clear. The suckers in Northampton County are being overtaxed approximately 50 million dollars a year. This is a disgrace. Through the bums out.
I'd feel a lot better if Ron Angle would take a look at these books. I don't know this RKL from a hole in the ground. Ron was a ferocious fiscal watchdog, keeping a vigilant eye on the expenditure of our precious tax dollars.
Maybe he will start paying the employees of the county. He is so gracious with steps. Lol.
There should be no tax increases in this county for at least 4 years!
Bernie, of course the county financials are doing great, they’re benefiting from all the compound interest generated from not hiring enough Correction Officers and Sheriffs to fulfill the compliment.
1:14 spoken like the true nitwit you are
Maybe the employees will finally wake up and tell their union political bed fellows to stick it. Union reps get theirs, but the employees who they are to represent get screwed as usual.
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