FY 24/25 Budget Reading
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County Fiscal Court met in a special called meeting on Monday, April 29th with everyone in attendance. A reminder, if an item is not on the agenda, it cannot be discussed at a special called meeting.
The magistrates approved the first reading of the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court FY 24/25 budget after looking over the document. A second reading will be held at the next fiscal court meeting.
Per KRS 67.710(7), KRS 67.711, and KRS 64.530 the magistrates approved the FY24/25 Salary Schedule for Metcalfe County employees. A listing of those salaries is included in this article.
One of the ambulance CDs matures in May and is only receiving .5 percent on a balance of $541,577.63. Treasurer Page Edwards stated, “I wasn’t sure if you all wanted to pull that out and take some of that money in the ambulance fund and redo it.”
Bragg asked, “How much was the ambulance, 140 (thousand) something? It was a bunch of money.” Edwards answered, “The ambulance itself? It was like 140 (thousand) something.”
“If we took 140 out and left 400 in it and renewed this CD on the current rate that we are now, we’re still going to be drawing more money than leaving all this whole CD as it is…so I think the best thing for us to do would be draw out the amount of money we spent on the ambulance. Replenish that ambulance (fund) and leave the 400,000 in there on a new CD at the higher rate,” said Bragg.
The motion was made and approved to take the cost of the ambulance that was purchased and put it in the ambulance fund, then take the remaining and set up a new CD at a higher interest rate.
Edwards advised that the other ambulance CD matures in August. The court then agreed to leave that one until it matures.
Road Repairs
As stated at the last meeting, the magistrates presented a list of roads in their districts to be double-chip sealed to Road Supervisor Chris Compton. It was agreed at the last meeting, that a total of 8 miles would be double-chip sealed.
Compton estimated the magistrate’s road choices probably added up to 6 -7 miles and Judge Wilson noted that the total to be done is 8 miles and Compton said he could find where the rest was needed. The motion was made and approved to double chip seal up to 8 miles of roads.
The court acknowledgment of the Metcalfe County Extension District Board FY 24/25 Budget. To clarify the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget begins on July 1, 2024. Magistrate Ronnie Miller asked, “Who sets the rate for them? The board or Brandon or who?” to which Judge/Executive Larry Wilson answered, “No, I’m sure it would be the board.”
Magistrate Daniel Bragg said, “I’m pretty sure they get a mandate from the state they can just choose to accept that rate or not.”
“Well, if we could talk them into lowering it a point and a fourth, because the health department wants 2.25(%). I’d rather lower the extension then we’d have 2.50 in the ledger. Right now we take it out of the General Fund. You know what I’m saying?” suggested Miller. He was reminded that the tax rates are set at a different meeting. “I know there’s nothing we can do about it,” remarked Miller.
The budget totals were as follows:
Total Available (Sum of Total Receipts, Cash, and Total Revenue) $2,417,942.73
Total Appropriations $1,901,083.84
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2024.
