The county budget for the coming year was approved at Monday night’s quorum court meeting. The budget committee had promised a draft of the budget by the November meeting.
The overall budget has about a seven percent increase over 2021. Justice of the Peace Jack Deaton said most of the $17 million in predicted income will be already earmarked. The county will receive about $6.3 million for the general fund.
Deaton said all county employees will see some raises, although some departments received higher raises as the JPs continue efforts to “level the playing field.”
In other business:
- Roof repairs at the Detention Center will require an outlay of $8,800 to fix leaks. Deaton said the facilities committee hoped to “buy some time” before replacing the roof. JP Chuck Olson said bids for a new roof might go out in March, but this “stopgap measure” was required to deal with the immediate problems. JP Don McNeely suggested putting a pitched roof on the building, but Deaton said the cost would be prohibitive. He also said the county should have no problems with a properly installed flat roof. The current roof is 20 years old, he noted.
- David Stoppel was reappointed to an additional five-year term on the Eastern Carroll County Ambulance District, and Chris Trask was reappointed to an additional three-year term.
- Connie Deaton and Al Selleck were reappointed to additional three-year terms on the Western Carroll County Ambulance District.
- JPs approved a payment of $1,680 to the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District as local matching funds. The NWAEDD helps the county with grants.
- The quorum court annually passes an ordinance to establish county, municipal, and school tax millages. The ordinance passed with only minor changes from last year.
- The quorum court must also pass an ordinance each year establishing the compensation for elected officials. JP Craig Hicks said the budget committee took some time with this. JP Jack Deaton said the salaries reflect a 4.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment. The county judge will make $59,000 next year, followed by the county sheriff at almost $58,000. The circuit and county clerks, along with the treasurer, assessor, and tax collected, will each earn $52,500. JPs will receive $300 for regular meetings and $100 for committee meetings.