County’s FY 2024-25 Budget Nears Completion

HUNTINGDON (April 11) — After three rounds of meetings, the Carroll County Budget Committee is one step closer to setting the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget. Thursday’s meeting revisited several department budgets to address proposed expenditures along with adjustments to various line items.

The Election Commission and the Highway Department had line adjustments. The Election Commission added $12,000 in expenses for election works. Then the Highway Department had an increase in revenue from the wheel tax up from roughly $419,000 to $537,571.

Members of the Budget Committee were not in favor of the 8% salary increase request made by the Carroll County Court Clerk’s office. Chairman Commissioner Darrell Ridgely stated the County gave the clerks 6% last year and offered 4% for this fiscal year. He reiterated his point saying that’s a 10% pay raise over the last two years. If the County were to give that department 8% and only 4% to other departments then it would set a precedent that would only “open a whole other can of worms.”

The Committee voted against a $10,000 salary item classified as “training” for the retiring clerk to stay on part-time to make sure her replacement was fully trained following her departure.

On the County Library’s budget, the Budget Committee balked at the requested salary increase and adjustment to staffing. Adding the staff member would add to the County’s maintenance of effort toward the library which creates an added burden to the taxpayers.

Committee members also broached the subject of increasing the Rural Fire Department’s budget for vehicle maintenance. After a few minutes of discussion on what assets belong to the County versus others along with the lack of answers to the questions regarding insurance, the Committee decided to leave the line item as is until leadership can provide a better plan.

Lastly, non-profit contributions were addressed. Bethany Patton of the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center requested an additional $1,000 for the center. She stated the Carroll County program with the help of Joanna Allen has been successful in finding jobs for the disabled. She added that 74 individuals with disabilities from Carroll and Benton counties are taking part in the center’s programs.

The Committee agreed to provide $25,000 to the Carl Perkins Center; $10,000 to the Carroll County Shooting Park; $8,000 to the Carroll County Rescue Squad; $6,000 to the McKenzie Memorial Library; $5,000 to the Gordon Browning Museum; Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program (WRAP) $3,823; and $1,500 (a $1000 increase) to the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. The Budget Committee agreed to not provide $200 to the McKenzie Senior Citizen Center as the Center has not personally requested the money in the last two years.

The next meeting of the Budget Committee is May 9 at 9 a.m.