The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Finance Committee met Monday afternoon and approved the 2019 Budget, sending it to the full Quorum Court to consider the next day.
A few changes to the budget included taking out Olympus, which was $1.4 million and put back into the economic development fund.
Finance Chairman Michael White stated that County Treasure Peggy Meatte put another $500,000 in the CD, which makes $2 million in County Reserve CD.
“Things are really looking up in Mississippi County, guys, and I just can’t tell you how happy I am to have been a part of it,” White said. “I hate the struggles we have gone through but I can’t say enough appreciation to the elected officials that have suffered and cut and just tightened everything up to put us where we are today. Thank the Lord and all the elected officials we don’t have to do that anymore and we are going to try and make it where we never have to do that again.”
County Judge Terri Brassfield also expressed her appreciation to Mississippi County Finance Director Kelli Jones for putting the budget together.
Justice Bill Nelson made the motion to approve the budget and to move it to the full court Tuesday night for acceptance. Justice Ken Kennemore seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
White also brought up the ordinances that will deal with the courthouses. The original ordinance from 2016 stated it would be a $12 million project. Since that time costs have gone up on the exact same project to an estimated $14 million. With the cost going up the city of Osceola unanimously passed a resolution in their November meeting dealing with the change of cost and stating they are behind the county in the courthouse project.
White stated that the QC will need to have a two-thirds majority to pass the ordinance in Tuesday night’s November QC meeting.
Also mentioned was District Clerk Leslie Mason moving her office across the street in the office space connected to the First Commercial Bank.
Mason stated she still believes the move is a good move, and Nelson agreed.
Nelson made a motion for the lease to be moved to Brassfield’s desk for a signature and Kennemore seconded and passed unanimously. Brassfield stated she will sign whatever she needs to sign.
White also recognized County Judge-elect John Alan Nelson for being in the audience and asked if he had any questions or comments since he’ll be apart of the process on Jan. 1.
Judge-elect Nelson stated the QC seems to have everything under control.