Pulaski County Council members are looking to fee increases as a way to fill the $75,000 gap that remains in the 2021 budget proposal. A suggestion that county officials could reevaluate the Recycling and Transfer Station’s operations got the support of Council Vice-President Rudy DeSabatine during Monday’s budget discussions.
“That’s a great idea in my opinion,” DeSabatine said. “I mean is Joe Blow going to be upset because his pickup-load of garbage costs him $11 instead of nine dollars? I find that hard to believe.”
Terri Hansen with the Pulaski County Health Department said her office is also due for a fee increase, to keep up with costs. While the county council is responsible for the budget, adjusting fees typically requires the county commissioners’ approval.
But some council members felt that for county offices to reach their full revenue potential, they have to have additional staff. Building Inspector Doug Hoover continued his annual tradition of asking for his department’s part-time assistant to be moved to full-time status. “Pulaski County is finally getting on the map here within the last couple months, with this new solar,” Hoover said. “We’ve worked very hard there, and we can make a lot of revenue. And I need help to keep it going.”
Others on the council were more concerned about raises. DeSabatine once again spoke in favor of a three-percent salary increase. “All these people have been told, ‘Cut, cut, cut, and we’ll give you a three-percent raise across the board,’” DeSabatine said. “I personally think we have to stay. I mean, what good is our word if we don’t stay with that?”
Most of Monday’s two-hour-and-45-minute budget discussion consisted of department heads responding to a list of line-item cuts suggested by Council Member Jay Sullivan. It didn’t take long for the conversation to turn heated. Clerk JoLynn Behny forcefully objected to Sullivan’s proposal to cut a line item for part-time staff in half, saying the fact that he made the suggestion without having visited her office was unacceptable and disrespectful.
The Pulaski County Council will finalize its 2021 budget proposal on October 12.
