JOHNSTOWN — The Fulton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday accepted a proposed $7.7 million capital plan for 2019, which will be considered later for full adoption as part of the county’s final 2019 budget.
“Nothing in your final budget is completely said and done until you do your budget [adoption] resolution,” county Administrator Jon Stead reminded the board.
The proposed 2019 county capital totals $7.69 million. It is funded by $4,816,521 in offsetting revenue, and $2,881,583 in Fulton County share.
Following a public hearing, the board voted to accept a three-year capital plan, which included 2019 as the first year. The only no vote was cast by Mayfield Supervisor Richard Argotsinger.
Argotsinger, chairman of the board’s Finance Committee, said Wednesday his no vote was related to how much Fulton County provides Fulton-Montgomery Community College.
“We have contributed $250,000 to the capital plan at FMCC every year,” Argotsinger said.
Fulton County’s proposed capital plan includes a $250,000 allotment from the county toward $2 million worth of FMCC capital projects. Those projects include about $1 million each for: critical maintenance projects and theatre and other building renovations.
Argotsinger said that while the county is providing the college $250,000 for the capital plan, the college for the coming academic year requested an additional $50,000. He said any share the sponsors give can never be reduced in future years — the so-called “maintenance of effort” payment. Argotsinger estimated FMCC could have raised the extra $50,000 if the college raised tuition by another $30 per student.
“They would cover that $50,000,” the supervisor said.
The Fulton County Board of Supervisors on July 9 adopted a $19.8 million 2018-19 FMCC budget. That budget — for the fiscal year that began Sept. 1 — included an additional $50,000 each from Fulton and Montgomery counties. Total sponsor contributions are now about $1.55 million annually from each county.
FMCC President Dustin Swanger was the only speaker during Tuesday’s hearing on Fulton County’s capital plan.
“I just want to thank you for the support you’ve provided for our capital plan,” Swanger said.
He said first phase work at the science labs on campus are done and renovations are “appreciated” by both faculty and students.
Last summer, renovations were made to FMCC’s anatomy and physiology labs, advanced manufacturing lab, and nursing lab.
Construction in the science labs include consolidating labs currently spread among two floors onto the third floor of a building and remodeling existing space. FMCC’s previous science lab, in use since the 1960s, featured long black tables with sinks at the end prior to renovations. The updated labs feature smaller lab stations throughout each room with seating for about four students at each. Stations feature new equipment and allow students to face the teacher while working.
“They are beautiful,” Swanger said. “They’re more interactive. They have really advanced our education on campus.”
Elsewhere in Fulton County’s proposed 2019 capital plan, $100,000 is earmarked for a New Neighborhood Plan involving school safety run through the office of District Attorney Chad Brown. Part of that request includes active shooter response kits and tools.
The county Information Services Department requested a $78,710 Microsoft Office upgrade.
Paving projects totalling $1.4 million in 2019 include: County Highway 158, towns of Mayfield and Perth — $310,000; County Highway 122, town of Johnstown — $270,000; County Highway 138, town of Broadalbin — $210,000; County Highways 150 and 120, town of Oppenheim — $106,000 and $225,000, respectively; and County Highway 119, town of Stratford — $290,000.
Other proposed 2019 capital projects include: $163,500 security upgrade at the county jail; $462,549 VHF Analog Simulcast System through the Civil Defense Office; $1.15 million for county airport runway rehabilitation; $600,000 for the Tryon Technology Park’s electric service project; $250,000 for a tandem dump truck with plow; and $595,500 in projects for the Department of Solid Waste, which includes $275,000 for an excavator.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
