County approves $22.3M budget
Shana Harter
February 11, 2021
County commissioners have approved the $22.3 million Stone County budget for 2021. Presiding Commissioner Mark Maples noted that the county has a carryover, money not spent last year, this year of $1.1 million. Maples says this is the largest carryover he’s ever seen. The commission attributes the carryover to prudent spending in the wake of COVID-19 coupled with unprecedented traffic to Table Rock Lake, resulting in higher than anticipated sales tax revenue. Northern Commission Wayne Blades said, “The surprise this year was how many people came to Table Rock Lake to enjoy the outdoors; it’s been a record breaking year.” Maples added, “With the pandemic going on, folks chose to spend their time at our lake.” The commission believes that monies and effort spent cleaning up Table Rock Lake’s water quality has been money well spent. It pays back in sales tax revenues.
Wages are going up for county employees. The 2021 budget allowed the commission to give raises this year. Road patrol deputies received a $1.80 an hour raise, the sheriff’s department received a $1.60 an hour raise, while jail employees saw $1.25 per increase, and all other employees got a $.70 per hour boost to their paychecks. Maples spoke of the raises saying they were “a big step…a good thing, “ as they try to stay ahead of the minimum wage increases.
The commission noted they have neither decreased nor increased the number of county employees this year. Southern Commission Hank Smythe said no major projects are planned in the county this year. The road and bridge department will be replacing a bridge in the Ponce de Leon area, but the project is still in the planning phase. Maples added that the road and bridge shops are in good shape. They are looking to improve some county roads this year. Maples said, “We held back last year; we were careful due to COVID and the unknown.”
Maples went on to explain how the county road department is funded. “Road and Bridge is funded by sales tax revenue. In 1993, the county passed a law that road and bridge funding would never be assessed as part of property taxes.
Maples also pointed out that the county holds $2M in an emergency reserve fund. Maples said, “This is good. Few counties have that in reserve. This is a good budget.”
February 11, 2021
County commissioners have approved the $22.3 million Stone County budget for 2021. Presiding Commissioner Mark Maples noted that the county has a carryover, money not spent last year, this year of $1.1 million. Maples says this is the largest carryover he’s ever seen. The commission attributes the carryover to prudent spending in the wake of COVID-19 coupled with unprecedented traffic to Table Rock Lake, resulting in higher than anticipated sales tax revenue. Northern Commission Wayne Blades said, “The surprise this year was how many people came to Table Rock Lake to enjoy the outdoors; it’s been a record breaking year.” Maples added, “With the pandemic going on, folks chose to spend their time at our lake.” The commission believes that monies and effort spent cleaning up Table Rock Lake’s water quality has been money well spent. It pays back in sales tax revenues.
Wages are going up for county employees. The 2021 budget allowed the commission to give raises this year. Road patrol deputies received a $1.80 an hour raise, the sheriff’s department received a $1.60 an hour raise, while jail employees saw $1.25 per increase, and all other employees got a $.70 per hour boost to their paychecks. Maples spoke of the raises saying they were “a big step…a good thing, “ as they try to stay ahead of the minimum wage increases.
The commission noted they have neither decreased nor increased the number of county employees this year. Southern Commission Hank Smythe said no major projects are planned in the county this year. The road and bridge department will be replacing a bridge in the Ponce de Leon area, but the project is still in the planning phase. Maples added that the road and bridge shops are in good shape. They are looking to improve some county roads this year. Maples said, “We held back last year; we were careful due to COVID and the unknown.”
Maples went on to explain how the county road department is funded. “Road and Bridge is funded by sales tax revenue. In 1993, the county passed a law that road and bridge funding would never be assessed as part of property taxes.
Maples also pointed out that the county holds $2M in an emergency reserve fund. Maples said, “This is good. Few counties have that in reserve. This is a good budget.”