2016 Craighead County budget unveiled

Justices got their first peek at the 2016 Craighead County proposed budget Thursday, with the document providing a mixed bag of information.

The proposed budget for 2016 was brought to budget committee members Thursday afternoon during a meeting at the Craighead County Courthouse Annex.

The $29.99 million budget, which must be approved by justices by Jan. 1, includes a $400,195.29 increase from the county election commission, a $114,486.74 increase for building maintenance and a $150,000 decrease for economic development projects.

Under the proposed 2016 overall budget, there is $465,418.50 for the election commission, $782,453.05 for building maintenance and $144,250 for economic development budgeted for 2016.

Tony Thomas, administrative assistant for County Judge Ed Hill, said the increase for the election commission was due to 2016 being a presidential year, while the building maintenance was due to repairing the chilling system at the Jonesboro courthouse. Also, county election officials are working on a plan to purchase new voting machines in time for the 2016 election to meet requirements from the Secretary of State’s office.

Thomas said the economic development drop was due to the county completing its commitment to several infrastructure projects tied to economic development projects. The budget typically covers about $140,000 for economic development each year, Thomas said, noting that funding from the county involves cash incentives. Thomas said the $144,250 will go toward helping with salary and expenses at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The budget will not include a salary increase for 2016 for county employees. Budget chairman Ken Stacks said the county typically looks at the issue later in the year when funding is more secure.

For example, a 1% increase in salary would cost about $100,000 to the county’s general fund, Stacks said.

Also, the county extension office is asking for a $15,442.18 increase to help pay for the salary of an employee, Stacks said. Thomas told the committee that the salary would also be funded by state funding.

The committee will next meet at 2 pm Wednesday (Nov. 18) at the courthouse annex.