Ersys Logo Ersys Name
Washington County – Government Finance

Picture of valves

Government finances play a pivotal role in shaping the local economy, influencing economic growth, stability, and the overall well-being of communities. The impact of government finances on the local economy can be analyzed through several key mechanisms, including public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. These elements collectively determine the flow of resources, the level of economic activity, and the quality of life for residents.

  1. Public Spending and Investment One of the most direct ways government finances affect the local economy is through public spending. Governments allocate funds to infrastructure projects, education, healthcare, public safety, and social services. These investments create jobs, stimulate demand for goods and services, and enhance the productivity of the local workforce. For instance, building roads, bridges, and public transportation systems not only provides immediate employment opportunities but also improves connectivity, reducing transportation costs for businesses and facilitating trade. Similarly, investments in education and healthcare contribute to a skilled and healthy workforce, which is essential for long-term economic growth.

  2. Taxation Policies Taxation is another critical component of government finances that impacts the local economy. Taxes fund public services and infrastructure, but they also influence the behavior of individuals and businesses. High tax rates can discourage investment and consumption, potentially stifling economic growth. Conversely, low tax rates may attract businesses and stimulate spending but can lead to budget deficits if not managed properly. Progressive taxation, where higher-income individuals pay a larger share, can reduce income inequality and increase disposable income for lower-income households, boosting local demand for goods and services.

  3. Debt Management Government borrowing and debt management also have significant implications for the local economy. When governments borrow to finance deficits or invest in long-term projects, they can stimulate economic activity in the short term. However, excessive debt can lead to higher interest rates, crowding out private investment, and increasing the risk of financial instability. Effective debt management ensures that borrowing is sustainable and that funds are used efficiently to generate economic returns.

  4. Fiscal Policies Fiscal policies, including government spending and taxation, are tools used to manage economic cycles. During economic downturns, expansionary fiscal policies, such as increased spending and tax cuts, can stimulate demand and help the economy recover. Conversely, during periods of high inflation, contractionary fiscal policies, such as reduced spending and higher taxes, can help cool down the economy. The timing and effectiveness of these policies are crucial in stabilizing the local economy and maintaining public confidence.

  5. Social and Economic Equity Government finances also play a role in promoting social and economic equity. Redistributive policies, such as social welfare programs and subsidies, can reduce poverty and inequality, leading to a more inclusive economy. By providing a safety net for vulnerable populations, governments can ensure that all residents have access to basic needs, which in turn supports overall economic stability and growth.

  6. Conclusion In summary, government finances have a profound impact on the local economy through public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. Effective management of these financial tools can stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Conversely, poor financial management can lead to economic instability, reduced investment, and social unrest. Therefore, it is essential for governments to adopt prudent fiscal policies and ensure that financial resources are allocated efficiently and equitably to support sustainable economic development.

A key indicator for comparison is how much government collects, spends and and establishes debt for each resident under its perview.

The revenue per resident at the local level is:

3,581.29

The expenses per resident at the local level is:

3,994.12

The outstanding debt per resident at the local level is:

577.13

 
WashingtonNorth CarolinaNational



LocalLocalLocalLocalStateState
PerContri-PerContri-PerContri-
LocalPer CentStatePer CentCapitabutionNationalPer CentCapitabutionCapitabution
Description(,000's)Per Capitato Total(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndex(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndexIndexIndex

Revenue39,5843,581.29100.0021,7982,827.24100.001.271.0064,111,5155,934.66100.000.601.000.481.00

  General revenue36,8893,337.4693.1921,4322,779.7798.321.200.9557,832,2325,353.4090.210.621.030.521.09

    Intergovernmental revenue20,3941,845.1151.527,663993.9035.151.861.4722,350,9012,068.9734.860.891.480.481.01
      From Federal government1,478133.723.731,677217.517.690.610.493,949,586365.606.160.370.610.591.25
      From State government18,9161,711.3947.795,986776.3927.462.201.7418,401,3151,703.3728.701.001.660.460.96
      From local government00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

    General revenue from own sources16,4951,492.3641.6713,7691,785.8663.170.840.6635,481,3313,284.4355.340.450.750.541.14
      Taxes12,0671,091.7430.489,0861,178.4741.680.930.7318,271,4951,691.3528.500.651.070.701.46
        Property8,603778.3421.738,5961,114.9239.430.700.5512,507,0791,157.7519.510.671.110.962.02
        Sales & gross receipts3,207290.158.1000.130.002,237.041,766.025,060,019468.397.890.621.030.000.00
          General sales3,092279.747.8100.130.002,156.821,702.694,485,444415.217.000.671.120.000.00
          Selective sales11510.400.2900.130.0080.2263.33574,57553.190.900.200.320.000.00
            Motor fuel sales00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
            Alcoholic beverage sales11510.400.2900.130.0080.2263.33134,34112.440.210.841.390.000.00
            Tobacco product sales00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
            Public utilities00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
            Other selective sales00.000.0000.130.000.000.00440,23440.750.690.000.000.000.00
        Individual income tax00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
        Corporate income tax00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
        Motor vehicle license10.090.0041353.571.890.000.00116,90810.820.180.010.014.9510.39
        Other taxes25623.160.65779.990.352.321.83587,48954.380.920.430.710.180.39

      Charges & misc general revenue4,428400.6211.194,683607.3921.480.660.5217,209,8361,593.0826.840.250.420.380.80
        Current charges3,919354.569.904,215546.6919.340.650.5114,948,9981,383.7923.320.260.420.400.83
          Education665.970.1728036.321.280.160.13386,96135.820.600.170.281.012.13
            Institution of higher education00.000.0000.130.000.000.00257,06723.800.400.000.000.000.00
            School lunch sales (gross)665.970.17222.850.102.091.6541,7193.860.071.552.560.741.55
          Hospitals1,711154.804.3200.130.001,193.50942.2110,037,795929.1815.660.170.280.000.00
          Highways00.000.0000.130.000.000.003,4480.320.010.000.000.000.00
          Air transportation (airports)655.880.16729.340.330.630.50599,21555.470.930.110.180.170.35
          Parking facilities00.000.0000.130.000.000.0053,9024.990.080.000.000.000.00
          Sea and inland port facilities00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
          Natural resources00.000.0000.130.000.000.0020,1821.870.030.000.000.000.00
          Parks and recreation40.360.01121.560.060.230.18251,33923.270.390.020.030.070.14
          Housing and comm development00.000.0000.130.000.000.00110,31710.210.170.000.000.000.00
          Sewerage25422.980.64806104.543.700.220.171,899,076175.792.960.130.220.591.25
          Solid waste management1,427129.113.603,039394.1613.940.330.26720,10266.661.121.943.215.9112.41
          Other charges39235.470.9960.780.0345.5735.98866,66180.221.350.440.730.010.02

        Miscellaneous general revenue50946.051.2946860.702.150.760.602,260,838209.283.530.220.360.290.61
          Interest earnings464.160.1214318.550.660.220.18152,41914.110.240.290.491.312.76
          Special assessments363.260.09455.840.210.560.4417,0081.570.032.073.433.717.78
          Sale of property534.800.13607.780.280.620.49114,29410.580.180.450.750.741.54
          Other general revenue37433.840.9422028.531.011.190.941,977,117183.023.080.180.310.160.33

  Utility revenue1,553140.503.9236647.471.682.962.344,997,179462.587.790.300.500.100.22
    Water supply1,553140.503.9236647.471.682.962.341,913,317177.112.980.791.310.270.56
    Electric power00.000.0000.130.000.000.002,885,932267.144.500.000.000.000.00
    Gas supply00.000.0000.130.000.000.00154,72414.320.240.000.000.000.00
    Transit00.000.0000.130.000.000.0043,2064.000.070.000.000.000.00

  Liquor store revenue1,142103.322.8900.130.00796.60628.871,282,104118.682.000.871.440.000.00

  Insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Employee retirement00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Workers' compensation00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Other insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Expenditure44,1473,994.12100.0029,6103,840.47100.001.041.0062,722,8515,806.11100.000.691.000.661.00

  Intergovernmental expenditure00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
  Direct expenditure44,1473,994.12100.0029,6103,840.47100.001.041.0062,722,8515,806.11100.000.691.000.661.00
    Current operation42,1803,816.1695.5417,6622,290.7959.651.671.6053,847,0114,984.5085.850.771.110.460.69
    Capital outlay1,767159.874.0011,0381,431.6537.280.110.117,267,518672.7411.590.240.352.133.22
      Construction1,767159.874.0011,0381,431.6537.280.110.117,267,518672.7411.590.240.352.133.22
    Assistance and subsidies00.000.0000.130.000.000.00144,03613.330.230.000.000.000.00
    Interest on debt20018.090.45910118.033.070.150.151,464,286135.552.330.130.190.871.32
    Insurance benefits and repayments00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Exhibit: salaries & wages11,4821,038.8126.017,9031,025.0326.691.010.9711,963,0181,107.3919.070.941.360.931.40

  Direct expenditure by function44,1473,994.12100.0029,6103,840.47100.001.041.0062,722,8515,806.11100.000.691.000.661.00
    Direct general expenditure41,9683,796.9895.0628,5443,702.2096.401.030.9956,028,7025,186.4589.330.731.060.711.08
      Capital outlay1,717155.343.8910,4581,356.4235.320.110.116,113,334565.909.750.270.402.403.62


Education services:
      Other direct general expenditure40,2513,641.6491.1718,0862,345.7861.081.551.4949,915,3684,620.5579.580.791.150.510.77
      Education19,2651,742.9743.6418,3642,381.8462.020.730.7021,177,5191,960.3533.760.891.291.221.84
          Capital outlay46141.711.0410,1521,316.7334.290.030.031,950,260180.533.110.230.347.2911.03
        Higher education00.000.0000.130.000.000.002,231,472206.563.560.000.000.000.00
          Capital outlay00.000.0000.130.000.000.00330,41130.590.530.000.000.000.00
        Elementary & Secondary education19,2651,742.9743.6418,3642,381.8462.020.730.7018,802,0111,740.4629.981.001.461.372.07
          Capital outlay46141.711.0410,1521,316.7334.290.030.031,619,849149.952.580.280.408.7813.28
        Other education00.000.0000.130.000.000.00144,03613.330.230.000.000.000.00
      Libraries1,263114.272.86719.210.2412.4111.93289,82226.830.464.266.190.340.52


Social services and income maintenance:
      Public welfare6,609597.9414.9700.130.004,610.104,432.751,939,534179.543.093.334.840.000.00
        Other public welfare6,609597.9414.9700.130.004,610.104,432.751,939,534179.543.093.334.840.000.00
      Hospitals00.000.0081.040.030.000.0010,497,061971.6916.740.000.000.000.00
        Capital outlay00.000.0000.130.000.000.00826,52276.511.320.000.000.000.00
      Health80.720.0257975.101.960.010.014,194,344388.266.690.000.000.190.29
      Social insurance administration00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Veterans' services00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Transportaion:
      Highways00.000.0060278.082.030.000.00733,88267.931.170.000.001.151.74
        Capital outlay00.000.0000.130.000.000.00296,36827.430.470.000.000.000.00
      Air transportation (airports)00.000.0015820.490.530.000.00797,02273.781.270.000.000.280.42
      Parking facilities00.000.0000.130.000.000.0067,3836.240.110.000.000.000.00
      Sea and inland port facilities00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Public safety:
      Police protection2,629237.855.961,597207.135.391.151.103,313,854306.765.280.781.130.681.02
      Fire protection39135.380.8913116.990.442.082.001,379,966127.742.200.280.400.130.20
      Correction86077.811.9572794.292.460.830.79674,67062.451.081.251.811.512.28
        Capital outlay00.000.0000.130.000.000.0036,7583.400.060.000.000.000.00
      Protective inspection & regulation16014.480.3600.130.00111.61107.31144,04313.330.231.091.580.000.00

Environment and housing:
      Natural resources938.410.2123830.870.800.270.26210,56819.490.340.430.631.582.39
        Capital outlay232.080.058811.410.300.180.1837,4143.460.060.600.873.304.98
      Parks and recreation14012.670.3200.130.0097.6693.901,232,047114.051.960.110.160.000.00
        Capital outlay00.000.0000.130.000.000.00343,94431.840.550.000.000.000.00
      Housing and comm development1,955176.884.4300.130.001,363.711,311.251,825,874169.022.911.051.520.000.00
      Sewerage1069.590.2400.130.0073.9471.101,709,529158.252.730.060.090.000.00
        Capital outlay00.000.0000.130.000.000.00806,70374.671.290.000.000.000.00
      Solid waste management1,506136.253.412,827366.679.550.370.36928,85385.981.481.582.304.266.45
        Capital outlay121.090.038911.540.300.090.0969,4136.430.110.170.251.802.72

Governmental administration:
      Financial administration70763.961.6045258.631.531.091.05563,15752.130.901.231.781.121.70
      Judicial and legal32829.680.7445759.271.540.500.48172,85616.000.281.852.703.705.60
      General public buildings87679.251.9822529.180.762.722.61576,25653.340.921.492.160.550.83
      Other governmental administration83175.181.88859111.412.900.670.65794,09373.511.271.021.491.522.29
      Interest on general debt12711.490.29910118.033.070.100.091,282,705118.742.050.100.140.991.50

General expenditures, n.e.c.:
      Misc commercial activities00.000.0060.780.020.000.0015,3111.420.020.000.000.550.83
      Other and unallocable4,114372.219.3233343.191.128.628.291,508,353139.622.402.673.880.310.47

Utility expenditures:
    Utility expenditure1,180106.762.671,066138.263.600.770.745,632,063521.358.980.200.300.270.40
        Capital outlay504.520.1158075.231.960.060.061,154,184106.841.840.040.060.701.06
      Water supply1,180106.762.671,066138.263.600.770.742,026,286187.573.230.570.830.741.11
      Electric power00.000.0000.130.000.000.002,541,405235.254.050.000.000.000.00
      Gas supply00.000.0000.130.000.000.00131,06112.130.210.000.000.000.00
      Transit00.000.0000.130.000.000.00933,31186.391.490.000.000.000.00

Liquor store expenditures:
    Liquor store expenditure99990.382.2600.130.00696.85670.041,062,08698.311.690.921.340.000.00

Insurance trust expenditures:
    Insurance trust expenditure00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Employee retirement00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Workers' compensation00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Other insurance trust00.000.0000.130.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Debt outstanding6,379577.13100.0027,5063,567.57100.000.161.0031,805,4102,944.15100.000.201.001.211.00

  Short-term debt outstanding00.000.0000.130.000.000.0011,4751.060.040.000.000.000.00
  Long-term debt outstanding6,379577.13100.0027,5063,567.57100.000.161.0031,793,9352,943.0999.960.201.001.211.00

Long-term debt issued3,427NANA0NANANANA4,470,821NANANANANANA
Long-term debt retired3,869NANA2,348NANANANA4,012,492NANANANANANA


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus