The Pulaski County Council has finalized the 2020 salary matrix for county employees. Many of the changes approved Monday were designed to bring the matrix in line with the 2020 budget.
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More stop signs are coming to the intersection of Pulaski County Roads 400 North and 1400 West, in spite of some county officials’ concerns about their necessity. The county council and commissioners passed an ordinance Monday officially making the intersection a four-way stop. While the commissioners approved it unanimously, council members Mike Tiede and Ken Boswell voted against it.
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Pulaski County will continue to contract out IT services. During Monday’s joint session with the county council, the county commissioners voted to hire Roeing IT Solutions.
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The Pulaski County Council may be looking to crack down on additional appropriations in 2020. That’s when the council lets a department spend a certain amount of money beyond what’s in the budget.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council took action Tuesday to fix shortfalls in a few departments’ overtime budgets. Council members agreed to transfer $45,000 out of the EMS Department’s staff line item to cover overtime expenses through the end of the year, at the request of EMS Director Brandon DeLorenzo.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Courthouse elevator was completed almost a year ago, but the county council is still being asked to consider funding arrangements. An additional appropriation request for almost $57,000 was presented Tuesday for council members’ consideration. Council Member Kathi Thompson voiced concern, noting that the money has already been spent, even though the council is just now being asked for permission to spend it.
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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 readingA Pulaski County Council member says a lack of information is hurting the council’s ability to manage the county’s finances. During Monday’s meeting, Kathi Thompson said the council needs monthly updates on how the county’s expenditures compare to its budget.
Continue readingTwo Pulaski County employees are set to lose their jobs, under the 2020 budget narrowly approved by the county council Monday. A motion to reinstate the Community Development Commission’s project coordinator position failed by a vote of four-to-three, despite CDC Executive Director Nathan Origer’s efforts to persuade council members and the apparent support of much of the audience.
Continue readingPulaski County Council members continue asking for help, when it comes to cutting spending and increasing revenue. During Monday’s special council meeting, council member and former commissioner Ken Boswell said the last time the county faced a fiscal challenge on this scale, everyone worked together.
Continue readingTax 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.
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Two Pulaski County employees would lose their jobs and one county department would be eliminated entirely, under the county council’s current budget proposal. Council members voted four-to-three Monday to cut all funding for the Microfilm Department out of the 2020 budget, presumably eliminating Janet Onken’s position.
Continue readingAs Pulaski County officials discuss ways to lessen the county’s reliance on local income taxes, the gap with surrounding counties’ tax rates remains high. Pulaski County residents currently pay 3.38 percent in local income taxes, the most in the state.
Continue readingAs Pulaski County’s budget discussions continue, one county council member has come up with a list of ideas for the county commissioners to explore that might cut costs and increase revenue. Kathi Thompson presented her discussion points during Monday’s special council meeting, with all three commissioners in attendance.
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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.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council may not have been looking closely enough at hiring in recent years. During Monday’s discussion on the county’s finances, Council Member Ken Boswell pointed out that a hiring freeze from a decade ago is actually still in effect.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council is getting a clearer picture of the financial impact of a potential courthouse renovation project. Financial consultant Jeffrey Peters presented some revised estimates Monday, based on the most recent renovation plans presented by Rowland Design.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council got a closer look at recent spending increases Monday. Consultant Jeffrey Peters pointed out that while the county government’s annual income has remained just above $10 million over the past six years, spending went from just over $10 million in 2016 to almost $12.5 million in 2018.
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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.
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