Pulaski County continues to fine-tune its tourism marketing efforts.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Pay Raise for Seasonal Highway Department Employees
Some Pulaski County Highway Department employees will finally be getting a pay raise. The county council voted Monday to raise the pay rate for the department’s seasonal part-time employees from $13 to $15, and make the raise retroactive to May.
Continue readingPulaski County Residents Suggest Researching County Manager Position, As Fiscal Concerns Continue
As Pulaski County continues working to address its fiscal challenges, a group of residents thinks that hiring a county manager could be a potential solution. Group representative Courtney Poor read a prepared statement to the county council and commissioners during Monday’s joint session.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Tax Abatement Renewals, Despite Compliance Concerns
The Pulaski County Council narrowly approved a list of tax abatement renewals Monday, despite concerns about one business’s compliance. FRATCO’s paperwork drew the attention of Council Member Kathi Thompson. She pointed out that while the business was meeting its requirement for the number of employees, the total salaries that were listed fell short of projections.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Votes to Release Fiscal Plan to Public
Pulaski County’s preliminary fiscal plan is now officially public record. The county council voted unanimously last week to authorize Auditor Laura Wheeler to release the plan to members of the public, if requested.
Continue readingConfusion Remains over Pulaski County Highway Department Seasonal Employees’ Pay Rate
Some Pulaski County Highway Department employees will have to wait a bit longer before finding out whether they’ll get a pay raise. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff asked the county council last week for a final decision on the pay rate for seasonal employees. “The seasonal is the mower guys and what we’re doing, the blacktop and everything, in the summertime,” Ruff explained.
Continue readingPulaski Council Approves Budget Transfers for Deputy and Dispatcher Overtime, Fiscal Planning
Pulaski County sheriff’s deputies have been busy recently, and that’s led to a significant shortfall in the department’s overtime budget. The county council voted Monday to transfer a total of $27,000 out of the deputy salary and part-time dispatcher salary line items, to fill the gap.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Funding to Continue Part-Time Maintenance Position
As the Pulaski County Maintenance Department prepares to take over lawn care at county properties, the county council has approved a funding measure that would allow the department to keep its new part-time employee.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Votes Four-to-Two to ‘Thaw’ Property Tax Levy Freeze
An ordinance paving the way for a potential property tax increase was adopted by the Pulaski County Council Monday, but not without some opposition. The county council voted four-to-two to “thaw” the county’s property tax levy freeze. That means the tax levy may increase within the limits set by the state’s growth quotient.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Members Looking to Discuss Budget Cuts with Department Heads
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.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Agrees to Spend Up to Another $10,000 on Fiscal Planning
The 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.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Hope to Choose Health Insurance Company July 1
Pulaski County has gotten four proposals for employee health insurance, but before they were even opened Monday, county officials spent several minutes trying to figure out what exactly to do with them. During Monday’s joint council and commissioners meeting, Auditor Laura Wheeler explained that the open enrollment period begins July 1, with the new coverage year starting in August.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considering Ordinance to ‘Thaw’ Property Tax Freeze
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.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Wants More Information Before Moving Ahead with Funding for Radio Tower
The Pulaski County Council has decided to hold off on funding arrangements for a radio tower, amid concerns that it was purchased without the proper permission and that it may not actually be needed. When the Emergency Management Agency’s move to the West Annex was being planned last year, former maintenance director Jeff Johnston said moving the necessary radio equipment would cost about $10,000.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Encumbrance Requests, Following Confusion over Procedures
We’re more than a third of the way through 2019, but some Pulaski County officials are still trying to pay bills out of the 2018 budget. More than $10,000 in encumbrances were presented to the county council for approval Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Council, Commissioners Weigh Options for Courthouse
Pulaski County officials are considering their options when it comes to the future of the county courthouse and other government buildings. The county council and commissioners discussed a few ideas during a special joint meeting Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Rejects Change in Victim’s Assistance Coordinator Salary
The Pulaski County Council has reversed course on a salary change for a staff member in the Prosecutor’s Office. Last month, the council voted to tie the victim’s assistance coordinator’s pay rate to the level specified by the grant that funds the position, with Ken Boswell and Scott Hinkle opposing. But when it came time to update the salary matrix to reflect the change last week, council members Rudy DeSabatine and Jay Sullivan joined Boswell and Hinkle in opposition, denying the measure by a vote of four-to-three.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Suggests Ways to Streamline Building Department Operations
As the Pulaski County building inspector continues asking for a full-time deputy, some county council members are wondering if there are ways the building department could streamline its operations. The topic came up when Building Inspector Doug Hoover asked to have part-time assistant Karla Kreamer moved to full-time status earlier this month. “If you look at it, man, we have increased a lot, and we’re really working hard,” Hoover said. “And we could do a lot more. I don’t know what to tell you guys.”
Continue readingPulaski County Council Members Looking to Narrow Focus of Joint Meetings with Commissioners
Pulaski County officials may be looking to restructure their meetings, as some county council members call for more discussion about the courthouse. During Monday’s meeting, Council Member Kathi Thompson again raised the issues of the building’s current needs, as well as future renovation or replacement plans.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Agrees to Tie Victim’s Assistance Coordinator Salary to Grant Funding
After a couple months of discussion, the Pulaski County Council has approve a salary change for a staff member in the Prosecutor’s Office. The county council voted five-to-two Monday to tie the victim’s assistance coordinator’s pay rate to the level specified by the grant that funds the position, as requested by Prosecutor Dan Murphy back in January.
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