The end of 2020 means the end of the terms of several long-serving elected officials who did not seek reelection. Jay Sullivan leaves the Pulaski County Council after 20 years in office, several of those as council president. He took time during his final meeting to thank the county’s citizens for giving him the honor of serving them.
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For the first time in several years, the Pulaski County Council has a new president. Ken Boswell was elected council president Monday, after two rounds of voting.
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The Pulaski County Council still hasn’t made any decisions about reconfiguring its local income taxes, but members did agree last week to keep thinking about some options. President Jay Sullivan reminded the rest of the council that the county will have to come up with additional revenue, since a special local income tax is scheduled to expire at the end of 2020.
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Pulaski County is getting $60,000 to make it easier for people going through the court system to get the treatment they need. Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher discussed the funding with the county council Monday.
Continue readingAfter the Pulaski County Council narrowly rejected a tax restructuring plan Monday, Council President Jay Sullivan hopes to get to work on a new proposal relatively soon. He told the rest of the Community Development Commission Tuesday that he doesn’t expect the council to wait an entire year before taking action.
Continue readingPulaski County’s state representative wants to get moving on securing financing for a possible courthouse renovation project. Three renovation options, ranging from just under $4.9 million up to almost $8.6 million were recently presented to the county council and commissioners.
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Efforts to increase broadband availability and tourism in Pulaski County are a few of the things that will likely be scaled back, following the elimination of the Community Development Commission’s project coordinator position.
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A proposed tax adjustment was narrowly voted down by the Pulaski County Council Monday. The change would have resulted in a slight decrease in the county’s local income tax rate, while allowing property taxes to increase on non-homestead property.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council will vote on adjustments to the county’s tax structure tonight. Under the proposed ordinance, wage earners who live in Pulaski County would pay a slightly lower local income tax rate starting January 1. But those owning non-homestead property there would see their property taxes go up.
Continue readingA plan to cut the Pulaski County Community Development Commission’s two-member staff down to one had CDC members asking the county council president for answers Tuesday. The council voted four-to-three last week to remove funding for the CDC’s project coordinator position from the 2020 budget proposal.
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Tax adjustments are still on the table in Pulaski County. The county council voted five-to-two Monday to pursue an option that would reduce the local income tax rate by 0.08 percent for 2020, while increasing property taxes on non-homestead property.
Continue readingWith 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 readingA stretch of Pulaski County Road 400 North will soon get a lower speed limit. The county council voted four-to-two Monday to reduce the speed limit to 35 miles per hour between U.S. 421 and County Road 1400 West, and make 400 and 1400 a four-way stop. The speed limit change had been approved by the county commissioners last month.
Continue readingThe 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 readingReassessment appeals could lead to some additional expenses for Pulaski County. Assessor Holly VanDerAa told the county council last week that there are 16 appeals from five different taxpayers that are still pending.
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For the third time this year, Pulaski Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher is asking for permission to spend more money for pauper counsel. The county council has already agreed to let her spend $40,000 beyond what was initially budgeted. On Monday, she told council members she needs another $30,000.
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.
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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.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council has agreed to spend up to another $10,000 to continue its fiscal planning process. Member Ken Boswell told the rest of the council Monday that the county has reached the limit of its initial agreement with Peters Municipal Consultants.
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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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