Published: May 13, 2008 03:54 pm            

Fiscal Court hears first reading of next year's budget

Monticello — Magistrates heard the first reading of the proposed budget for the next

fiscal year, during a meeting held on Thursday, May 8.

The budget for next year totals approximately $9.5 million for all

funds. That includes just over $6 million in the general fund, almost $1.5

million in the road fund, and $1.9 million in the jail fund.

Wayne County Judge-Executive Greg Rankin noted that next year's budget

includes increased funding for Memorial Park, from $3,200 per month to

$3,600 per month. It also includes funds for purchasing a new ambulance.

Rankin noted that the county will pay off debt on two ambulances next year

as well.

A small allocation has been included in this budget for the county's

relatively new recycling program. It also continues funding for the Farmers'

Market program, which began last year.

Rankin said the county will continue to provide support for all

emergency services at the same level, as well as enhanced 911 service. The

copies of the budget proposal provided for the magistrates also contained a

breakdown of how local payroll tax dollars are spent, for the jail, Wayne

County EMS, additional sheriff's deputies, 911 service, fire protection, the

Wayne County Rescue Squad, the Drug Task Force, and D.A.A.D drug test kits.

"That total is more than the occupational tax will bring in this year,"

stated Rankin. "But we have been able to continue to do this by making

overall county government more efficient."

The road fund includes reduced expenses for gravel, but increased

blacktopping monies. Rankin said $315,000 has been budgeted for blacktop

next year. That is in addition to any state monies that may be allocated

later this year.

The budget also includes a .45 cents per hour pay increase for all

county employees. The raise was approved earlier this year by the court and

becomes effective in the new fiscal year.

The budget will require second reading, which will be held at next

month's fiscal court meeting.

Also during Thursday's meeting, volunteers with the Parnell Fire

Department officially presented a petition supporting location of a rural

fire department in that community. Mike Crain presented the original

petition with signatures that have been certified by the Wayne County Clerk.

Rankin said that the next step in the process is to hold a public

hearing, since the first department must be created under KRS 65.182, which

deals with creating a local taxing district.

Crain stressed that the intent of putting this volunteer department

together does not include plans to impose any sort of tax to support it.

Rankin said that since this falls under the statute the county would now

have to set up a hearing and invite all involved parties to attend. The

hearing date will be announced once it is set.

After the hearing, the court can proceed with the ordinance in regard to

the Parnell Fire Department.

In other action during the meeting, the court:

€ Heard a monthly report from Jailer Ray Upchurch, who noted that the

total population at the Detention Center is 151, which includes 48 county

inmates and 103 state inmates. For the month of April, the Detention Center

has billed a total of $93,507.18 for housing inmates.

€ Heard a monthly report from Solid Waste Coordinator Tim Bell who noted

that during the past month white goods and large items were collected at 65

households, bringing the total for the year to 297. Bell said 169 volunteers

participated in the PRIDE Spring Cleanup.

€ Heard a monthly report from EMS Director Bubby Corder, who stated that

the ambulance service has answered 1,133 calls since January 1. He said that

EMS has received a Homeland Security CEDAP equipment grant totaling $12,900.

        

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