No comments were offered during the West Central School Board’s recent budget hearing, according to Superintendent Dan Zylstra. The proposed 2020 budget amounts to more than $9.8 million. Just over $5 million of that will be the Education Fund, while almost $3.4 million is being proposed for the Operations Fund.
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Enrollment continues to be a concern, as Oregon-Davis school officials work on the corporation’s 2020 budget. Superintendent Dr. Don Harman says the school board held its public hearing on the proposed budget last week.
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With time running out, the Pulaski County Council is still struggling to agree on a clear direction, when it comes to adjusting the county’s income taxes. Consultant Jeffrey Peters has suggested lowering the portion of income taxes designed to offset property taxes, but raising other types of income taxes to help with operations.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council and Commissioners are each asking the other group for direction on courthouse security. Last week, the commissioners indicated that they’re ready to act on the issue. But during Monday’s county council meetings, Council Member Kathi Thompson pointed out that it hasn’t been factored into the 2020 budget proposal.
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The Pulaski County Council continues working on the 2020 budget, but more cuts still need to be made. The goal is to try to bring the county’s spending back to 2016 levels, since that was the last time the county brought in more than it spent.
Continue readingPulaski County residents have the chance to weigh in on the county’s 2020 budget proposal tonight. The county council will hold the required budget hearing tonight at 6:00 p.m. EDT in the Pulaski County Highway Garage.
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As efforts continue to stabilize Pulaski County’s finances, some county council members are calling for help from the county commissioners. During Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, Council Member Ken Boswell said that while the council sets the budget, there are several things that only the commissioners can do.
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As Pulaski County looks for a way to get its finances back on track, officials’ next step may be to look back at 2016 spending. Consultant Jeffrey Peters told the county council Monday that was the last time revenue exceeded expenditures. “In 2016, you brought in a little above $10 million, you spent about $10 million,” he explained. “This year, we anticipate your revenue stream would be about $10 million.”
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council is meeting one more time with its fiscal planning consultant before officially getting to work on the 2020 budget today. Consultant Jeffrey Peters is scheduled to give council members an update on his findings this morning at 8:00 EDT in the Pulaski County Highway Garage.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Commissioners took steps to solidify the county’s IT services Monday. They voted to officially contract IT services out to DeGroot Technology, following the elimination of the county’s IT Department last month.
Continue readingPulaski County officials continue to voice concerns with the county’s IT arrangements, but organizing a discussion is proving to be a challenge. Some county council members had wanted to discuss IT plans with the county commissioners and had apparently asked to have it included on Monday’s joint session agenda. But when it was sent out, the only item listed was the approval of the prior joint session minutes.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Commissioners will hear a request from the Good Samaritan Store tonight for a reduction of transfer fees. The commissioners will also consider a data exchange agreement with WTH.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council is hoping to cut budgets, adjust the salary matrix, and start reconfiguring the county’s tax structure, all within the next month or so. Council members will continue discussing potential budget cuts with department heads tonight and next Monday at 7:00 p.m. EDT in the Pulaski County Highway Garage. During last week’s special session, Council Member Kathi Thompson said there are still several departments they need to see.
Continue readingAfter the Pulaski County Commissioners disbanded the county’s IT Department, the county council continues trying to figure out how to cover technology costs going forward.
Continue readingAs the Pulaski County Council continues exploring potential budget cuts, the county’s judges and chief probation officer had the chance to share their cost-saving ideas Monday. Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker told council members that there’s $50,000 in the commissioners’ budget for detention of children that she doesn’t think will be needed.
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Medaryville and Monterey will be handling their own General Elections this year, without the direct involvement of the Pulaski County Election Board. County Clerk JoLynn Behny told the rest of the county election board Tuesday that she’s received a resolution to that effect from the Town of Medaryville, and she expects Monterey to send one soon.
Continue readingWith Medaryville and Monterey expected to hold town elections this fall, the Pulaski County Election Board will discuss other potential uses for its 2019 election budget when it meets today. Board members will also start working on their 2020 budget proposal.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council will continue looking for ways to cut expenses tonight. For the past month, the council has been meeting with department heads for preliminary discussions on their 2020 budgets. The goal is to avoid a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years. Meeting with the council tonight will be the two courts and Probation Office, according to the Auditor’s Office.
Continue readingAs the Pulaski County Council works to avert a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years, members want to meet with department heads to discuss potential budget cuts. During last week’s regular meeting, council members spent over 20 minutes trying to schedule a round of preliminary budget meetings, before the usual budget discussions in August.
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Pulaski County landowners may be paying more in property taxes next year. An ordinance that would “thaw” the county’s property tax levy freeze was presented during Monday’s county council meeting. That means the county’s tax levy would be able to increase, within the limits set by the state’s growth quotient.
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