Freestone County Commissioners reached the end of budget talks for the 2018 Fiscal Year and voted to adopt a budget in the amount of $12,695,882.89 of which $8,442,951.89 is from the General Fund.
The budget for Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2018 will raise less revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $569,780.94 which is a .024469 percent decrease from last year’s budget.
The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $75,663.25.
While Freestone County does not have any debt obligations; Commissioners had to delve into the County’s Core Reserve Fund Balance for $670,021.89 to cover the deficit caused by the lesser tax revenue.
In adopting this budget, Commissioners also approved the following:
–$200,000 to purchase four fully equipped Tahoes for the Sheriff’s Department
–$5,000 added to salaries for the Senior Services to give raises to long-time employees who have never received a raise
–Raised the salary of the Chief Deputy in the District Clerk’s office from $30K to $38K to match all other Chief Deputy Salaries in the County
–Added an eighth 911 dispatcher to the Sheriff’s Office with a salary of $26,400
–Gave a 2% raise to all county employees with the exception of elected officials
–Cut $150 per month from travel allowances for Commissioners and Constables
Also at this meeting, held Wednesday, August 16, 2017, Commissioners unanimously voted to accept bids for contract hauling for 2018 from Kent Trucking; and to put a burn ban in to affect.
