No Decision Reached On Craighead County Sales Tax Issue

Craighead County justices on Monday night discussed a plan but took no action to help the rubber meet the road, both literally and figuratively, on two key budgetary goals.

Craighead County Judge Ed Hill said the county’s budget committee will likely take up the request by Justice Brett Provost during deliberations about the 2015 budget in December.

Provost said his request came after a meeting with the county’s road and finance committees last month.

The proposal by Provost would move additional money to the county’s general fund.

Currently, a one-cent sales tax is divided among each city and the county, based on population. At least 60% of the money goes to the county’s road department budget, with the rest going to the general fund.

Provost said he would like to see roads getting 50%, the general fund get 47.5% with the capital fund getting the rest.

“I want to add additional funding to help with public safety,” Provost said. “There has been a pushback on roads. I still understand your position. We have great county roads. But the needs are there. Sheriff Boyd and before him (Sheriff Jack McCann) asked for additional deputies and staff since 2006. And they have been denied each year. We owe it to our citizens to get Marty an increase in deputies.”

Provost said the change would free up nearly $320,000 to help accomplish the request.

Justice Barbara Weinstock said the 60/40 split was not set in stone but has worked well in the past.

Provost said he would like to see the 50/47.5/2.5 approach done for three years, with justices looking at the expenses each year.

Boyd said it costs about $106,000 the first year to fund a deputy position including salary, vehicle, training and uniform, with the expense dropping the second year.

The department currently has 32 certified deputies, doing everything from patrol and process serving to drug task force and school resource officer.

The school resource officer funding is done by the school districts, with the average patrol deputy covering a 712-square mile area during an eight-hour shift, Boyd said.

Justice Mike Hawkins said the county’s road department has taken a hit, losing nine employees, in recent years.

Hill said the road crews do maintenance on roughly 200 miles of county roads, with increased asphalt costs facing the county.

“(One project) There is a two-inch, 20 foot wide road that will cost $110,000,” Hill said. “We can’t afford to do what we do.”

Provost said he believes real estate growth, in particular, property tax assessments over the past several years will help the county meet the funding request.

“I don’t think cutting roads is an answer,” Hill said.

Justice Bob Blankenship said he believes at least $750,000 in funding from a state sales tax dedicated to highways will help as well.

“We have to find a way to fund it (the deputy issue),” Blankenship said.

Hawkins said the roads needed to be funded.

“We need to leave the road money alone. If not, we are cutting our knees off,” Hawkins said.

In other action, justices heard but took no action on a presentation from Ken Collins of Regions Insurance in Jonesboro on health insurance for county employees for 2015.