Commissioners court passes 2021 budget

The Hopkins County commissioners court passed the fiscal year 2021 budget, among other items of business at the Sept. 14 regular session. 

After opening the court at 9 a.m., County Judge Robert opened the floor for citizen comments regarding the proposed 2021 fiscal year budget. As no citizens presented themselves for comment, the forum was closed at 9:04 a.m. 

BUDGET 

County auditor Shannah Aulsbrook then reviewed the proposed 2021 budget one final time before the court voted on its implementation. 

Aulsbrook noted that in the 2021 budget, employee longevity pay would increase from $75 to $100. 

Civic Center director Lonnie Fox realized there was more money in the budget for his expenses than he had accounted for, Aulsbrook said. Civic Center expenditures would be reflected at $8600 and not $8000 for machinery, Aulsbrook said. Aulsbrook stated special projects for the Civic Center would now stand at $64,892. She stated this is still within budget 

Aulsbrook noted that elections were more expensive than budgeted. The original projected figure was $18,880, but with new software came a cost of $20,366. She stated this is still within budget. 

Aulsbrook also noted that although the road and bridge repair fund was within the budget, it came within $926 of its top cap. Aulsbrook stated the county usually rolls over unused funds from year to year, and expressed concern that this is “something we need to discuss later on.” 

Commissioner Pct. 3 noted that monies for these services came from increased property values, not increased taxes, and Aulsbrook stated that is true. Bartley stated “we have no control over that,” and Aulsbrook stated that is true. 

With no further discussion, County Tax Assessor-Collector Debbie Pogue-Mitchell read the 2021 budget and tax rate into the record and the court unanimously verified it. 

OTHER BUSINESS

The court also accomplished other business, including: 

• The lease of two half-ton pickup trucks for the criminal investigation division of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. HCSO will receive a $15,000 trade in for their 2017 models from Brian Tolliver Ford, and will pay a remainder of $28,778 for both units, according to HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump  
• The court did not approve a bid for a chipseal for Hopkins County road and bridge, but instead resolved to go out for more bids. Pct. I Commissioner Mickey Barker did not find the bids that came in, $5.54 per square yard, to his liking, he said. “I’d like to urge everyone to pay attention to these bids,” Barker said. “We need to get competition going.” New bids will be due in early October. 
• Approved the creation of a local branch of the Department of Homeland Security (see related story)

With no further business, the court was adjourned at 9:18 a.m.