Lake, Budgets On Minds Of Craighead County JPs

A lake in western Craighead County will be filled to the brim with bream, while justices plan to work on the county’s 2015 budget later this month, officials said Monday.

In the last meeting before the November general election, Craighead County justices heard about the plans for Bono Lake during the meeting at the Craighead County Courthouse Annex.

Craighead County Judge Ed Hill, D-Jonesboro, told justices that crews with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be at the lake Tuesday to start stocking the lake with fish.

At least 30,000 bream will be dumped into the lake Tuesday, with another 8,000 catfish going into the lake on Thursday, Hill said.

Justice Josh Longmire, R-Jonesboro, asked Hill about the installation of a ramp at the lake. Hill told Longmire that the ramp has been installed, but no water is in the area.

The lake project – several years in the making – has had its supporters and detractors throughout the years.

Supporters have said the lake will help with flood control in the area as well as bring tourism, while opponents have stressed cost overruns and delays as issues in the past.

BUDGET
After the meeting, Tony Thomas, administrative assistant for Hill, said county officials have been working on the county’s 2015 budget.

Thomas said officials should begin seeing revenue projections in early November for the new year, with the budget committee meeting throughout November to set the budget.

A key part of the budget involves making sure that expenses do not exceed revenues, Thomas said.

“Everyone knows what the expenses are. The key is the revenues,” Thomas said.

The budget is expected to be approved by early December and will take effect Jan. 1.

OTHER ACTION
In other action, justices:

· Heard from Hill about the recent opening of the Miracle League field in Jonesboro. The $3.2 million field at the Southside Sports Complex will be used by children and adults with special needs.

· Heard from resident Dan Melton about supporting a resolution to refrain from support of the EPA Clean Power Plan and Clean Air Act.

· Received reports from the county’s Public Service, Finance and Administration and Roads and Transportation committees.