By REVIS BLAYLOCK
NEA Town Courier
Mississippi County Finance Committee discussed the 2024 proposed expenditures, including raises and bonuses, at its Monday meeting. The overall finances were reviewed.
Justice Michael White chaired the meeting stating the county is in reasonable financial shape with tax collections increased over last year.
“I would like to take credit but the credit goes to the public for passing the economic tax,” Justice White said. “We are seeing the results and it has put us in good shape. We have seen the times when we had to ask our department heads to look at cuts and struggled with raises.”
He said it is good to compare where they have been to where they are.
Justice White said they are just starting the 2024 budget process. Justices reviewed the expenditures. He expressed his appreciation for the job the finance director Kelli Jones did putting together the reports. He also recognized the county clerk, county assessor and the county treasurer, who were in attendance.
Justices present were Cecil McDonald, Neil Burge, Rick Ash, Molly Jackson and Tobye McClanahan.
Justices reviewed the 2024 expense requests compared to 2023 of several departments including the treasurer’s office, assessor’s office, finance department, adult drug court, employee insurance account budget and the Quorum Court. Other expenses reviewed included the cooperative extension service, the county hospital, boat safety, local assistance tribal consistency fund and the county library.
Justice White described the library and the hospital funds as passed through accounts but are included in the overall budget approval.
White went on to say this is just the first budget meeting.
Committee members discussed the county assessor's request for funds due to a closed slot in the office. She requested the salary be divided among the other staff in the office.
Justice Jackson said she would be in favor of sharing the funds when a slot is closed.
A discussion was held on a past decision to keep the same salary for all chief deputies. The question was if sharing the funds would make the salaries different.
“We are not looking at making a decision today,” Justice White said. “We need to look at it, think about it and talk to our elected officials.”
Assessor Brannah Bibbs spoke about the new technology in her office that has been beneficial to the staff and to the public.
The committee reviewed current salaries starting with a 5 percent raise which will cost the county an estimated $500,000.
It was pointed out by Justice Burge that the county also provides a good benefit package to its employees.
“We want to give what we can afford,” Justice Ash said. “We want to hold on to our employees and be able to recruit good employees.”
It was agreed the cost of living continues to go up.
It was suggested and discussed the possibility of giving a raise and a bonus if the county can afford it. A bonus with a longevity stipend was discussed.
Justice McDonald said they can look at both plans.
Justice White said the next budget meeting will be Monday, Oct. 9. He pointed out that department heads have been asked to get their proposed budget requests in by Oct. 30. If the deadline is missed, the committee will move forward using the department’s last year’s budget.