Pulaski County will have to cut spending out of its Cumulative Capital Development Fund, as the county council tries to avoid overburdening property taxpayers. Auditor Laura Wheeler recently told council members that its revenues can’t sustain its expenses for the long-term.
She noted that the CCD Fund currently has $1.4 million, but $700,000 budgeted in expenses. She added that even reestablishing the fund at its maximum rate wouldn’t be enough to break even.
But with the recent levy freeze thaw and bonds for the upcoming Justice Center expansion set to raise property taxes already, council members didn’t want to increase that rate even further at this point, and they agreed to hold off until next year.
Council Member Rudy DeSabatine said he wanted to give the new county commissioners a chance to try some of their cost-saving ideas. Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer noted that the proposed Mammoth Solar project would greatly boost the county’s net assessed value, easing property tax rates and lessening the impact of the reestablishment of the CCD in the future.
In the meantime, council members will have to figure out how to cover at least some of that $700,000 with other revenue sources. Council Member Kathi Thompson noted that includes almost $580,000 for IT costs, and $100,000 for building repair. Those discussions are expected to take place when work begins on the 2022 budget.
