Pulaski County Council Still Considering Changes to Local Income Tax Structure

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.

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Pulaski County Facing Court Security Implementation Deadline

The 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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Pulaski County Council Debates Pay Changes, As Budget Discussions Continue

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

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.

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Pulaski County Council to Hold Budget Hearing Tonight

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

Pulaski 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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Pulaski County Council Member Calls for Commissioners’ Help in Stabilizing County Finances

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

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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Pulaski Council Aiming to Return Spending to 2016 Levels, as Budget Balancing Efforts Continue

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.”

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Pulaski County Council to Meet with Fiscal Planning Consultant, Hold Budget Hearings

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

The 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.

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Pulaski County’s IT Services Continue to Draw Questions from County Council Members

Pulaski 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.

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Several Concerns Remain to Be Addressed, As Pulaski County’s Budget Discussions Continue

The 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.

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Judges Discuss Potential Cost-Saving Opportunities with Pulaski County Council

As 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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Town-Organized Elections Will Mean Cost Savings for Pulaski County Government

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.

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Pulaski County Council to Explore Potential Budget Cuts with Courts, Probation Office Tonight

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

The 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.

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Pulaski County Council Members Looking to Discuss Budget Cuts with Department Heads

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

As 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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