V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Commissioners proposed the 2024 Budget during Monday’s regular meeting with bigger impact raises for all employees.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur asked Commissioners to consider changing the proposed raises from 5% to $2,000 across the board.
“Commissioner Ashley brought this to my attention,” said LaFleur. “While a 5% raise is good, it disproportionally affects lower pay-rate employees. A flat $2,000 raise for all employees is good for everyone.”
The County also approved proposing a two cent tax increase, however, the overall rate is still less than last year’s tax rate due to increased property values. The Jimplecute has more on tax rates elsewhere in this issue.
The proposed budget is still at a deficit of $11,969.50 but part of the budget includes raises for law enforcement courtesy of Senate Bill 22 which offers counties a $250,000 grant to improve law enforcement salaries. The County cannot budget the grant as revenue, however, until it is received, which cannot occur until after January 1. The grant, along with the tax rate increase is projected to eliminate the budget deficit.
“We have no debt and we are in really good shape with the budget,” said LaFleur. “We’ve proposed deficit budgets in the past, and the adjustments to the valuations, frugal spending by County officials, and the receipt of grants, have caused it to work out in the end. I expect this year to be no exception.”
Unfunded mandates continued to be a drag on the County budget this year, with the elections budget requiring an additional $21,925 in expenses. The largest portion of that was due to increased hours during early voting. The last week of early voting, polls are now required to be open for 12 hours, with one Saturday open 12 hours and one Sunday open for 6 hours.
Other budgets saw similar mandated increases.
The County also received a “Clean Audit” for the 2022 year from Rod Abbott, CPA PLLC. The audit noted five adjustment audit entries for the year. All were standard accounting adjustments.
Sheriff and Constable fees for 2024 will not be increasing after Commissioners approved the recommendation from Sheriff David Capps.
The County approved sub-leasing the old Mims Volunteer Fire Station to Friends of Lake O’the Pines, with agreement from USACE.
The sub-lease, which is for one year, with up to four renewals, will allow the Friends group to have a home office as well as allow the County to determine if they are still in need of the facilities. The original lease, which ends this year, would have required the County to remove the structure they just made repairs to.
Parking heavy or overweight trucks on county roads will require a permit, even if the truck owner/driver lives on the road.
Commissioner Ralph Meisenheimer brought the issue to the court for clarification, as he said he had some drivers who parked their loaded trucks on county roads near their homes, but did not have a permit, while other drivers did have a permit.
Commissioners clarified and approved that all overweight or heavy trucks had to have a permit to operate or park on county roads. The permits are free however, and must be renewed every 30-days by notifying the County Judge’s office.
Health concerns in Marion County will get a little more attention starting September 1, as Commissioners approved appointing Margie Smith to the Community Healthcore Board of Trustees for a 2-year term. Smith said healthcare was a major concern for her and she wanted to serve on the board to represent the needs in Marion County.
Commissioners also approved a request from Senior Citizens Services of Texarkana, Inc., to support them in a grant request to Texans Feeding Texans which provides meals to senior citizens in Marion County. The grant had a $0.25 per eligible participant match, and if the group receives the grant, it will cost the county approximately $850 in 2024.
Commissioners also approved spending $66,450 with Firetrol Protection Systems Inc, to improve the Fire Alarm system and connections in the Marion County Jail and Annex elevator. The improvements in the Jail system were required by the Jail Standards Commission, and the the work currently going on to upgrade the annex elevator.
Commissioners extended the Burn Ban in effect for all of Marion County which was put in place last week.
Lastly, Commissioners took a quick look at their newly remodeled Courtroom which they hope to start using in September.