A motion to “reboot” Pulaski County’s IT Department failed during this week’s county council meeting. The county commissioners disbanded the IT Department back in July and later agreed to once again contract IT services out to DeGroot Technology. But that arrangement has drawn concern from some council members and IT professionals, specifically when it comes to cybersecurity and larger oversight of the county’s technology systems.
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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.
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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 readingThe Pulaski County Council will continue working on the county’s 2020 budget tonight. Council members have begun suggesting significant cuts, but more specifics still need to be worked out before the budget is ready for adoption on October 14.
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As 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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The Pulaski County Council is slowly making progress on its 2020 budget, but there’s still a long way to go. Monday’s special meeting continued late into the night, as members reviewed the proposal line item by line item.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council wants a few more days to consider what direction to take on potential tax adjustments. The county currently has the highest income tax rate in the state, but one of the lowest property tax rates. Council members have been looking at ways to balance those, while also preparing for the end of the special income tax that was put in place to pay for the Justice Center but also covers a large portion of jail operations.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council will not provide funding for a $35,000 payroll and time clock system. Auditor Laura Wheeler got approval from the county commissioners last week, but had less success when she brought the request to the council Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Building Inspector Doug Hoover pleaded with the county commissioners once again to support his request to move part-time assistant Karla Kreamer to full-time status.
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The Pulaski County Council members will meet in special session tonight.
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Funding arrangements for Highway Department equipment and jail repairs were considered by the Pulaski County Council last week. Council members agreed to transfer money within the Cumulative Bridge Fund to allow the Highway Department to continue to rent a mini-excavator until the end of the year.
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 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.
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.
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More details about the suspicious device that led to the evacuation of two of Pulaski County’s government buildings Friday were shared during Monday’s county council meeting. Sheriff Jeff Richwine said the object was found by maintenance staff as they were emptying the trash bin in the southeast restroom in the courthouse basement.
Continue readingPlumbing issues at the Pulaski County Courthouse are creating some challenges for Circuit Court. Issues with clogged sewage lines have prompted county officials to close off certain restrooms for the time-being, including one in the court’s offices.
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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