By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

With the $76 million budget and new 81.5-cent tax rate effective July 1, taxpayers aren’t the only ones strapped for cash.
Columbus County government with a low fund balance has been warned it can’t exceed its budget this year.

At Friday’s special called budget meeting, commissioners asked employees to be conservative with taxpayers’ money.
Commissioner Bill Memory asked school boards to be “good stewards” after backing away from a $300,000 cut to the schools (See related story.)

He also called for and the board approved no new hires in any vacant positions until “analyzed” by the manager to determine if it is “critical needs.”
Commissioner James Prevatte said the county needed to get “a tighter hold on” spending.

“Help us to help you and lets help the people of Columbus County and their wallets.” Commissioner Amon McKenzie said. “Don’t spend it because it’s there.”

In addition, the board plans to address issues related to county credit cards this month.

Several officials have said the rules are almost non-existent or vague when it comes to the credit cards and Finance Officer Leo Hunt has been asked to recommend new rules.