Court okays first reading of 2024-25 budget; budget tops $16M

The major line items in the budget include the General Fund at $6,452,957, the Road Fund at $3,491,963, the Jail Fund at $1,092,950, Parks and Recreation Fund at $1,218,885, the Enhanced 911 Fund at $1,014,050, the Federal Grants Fund at $143,316, the Clerk Storage Fee Fund at $56,050, the Flora Shropshire Animal Shelter Fund at $84,500, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund at $2,675,750 and the Opioid Settlement Fund at $111,066.

The ARPA Fund must have all of those monies earmarked for a specific purpose by the end of calendar year 2024, and all of that money must be spent by the end of calendar year 2026.

In other court action on Tuesday night:

• A resolution to authorize County Judge Executive Jason Marshall to sign an agreement with Summit Architects & Engineers was tabled until the next meeting, at Marshall’s request.

Summit Architects have been tabbed to make corrections on three dangerous low head dams in Harrison County. Those three are the Robinson Dam, Poindexter Dam and Terry Dam.

The resolution would have allowed Summit to blast and retrieve rock from the old rock quarry on Old Lair Road. The quarry would be re-opened for just this one-time use. The rock would be used to mitigate the hazards of those three low head dams in Harrison County that have been the site of several fatalities over the years.

When the measure to authorize Marshall to act on behalf of the court was introduced, magistrate Stan Lemons asked if the blasting at the rock quarry would cause any problems with people who live in the area of the rock quarry.

“That’s a good question,” Marshall said. “I think we should table this measure until our next meeting so I can find out.”

Magistrate Dwayne Florence reported that the Stratton Road bridge project had been completed. He also said the County Road Department is currently using its arm mower on stretches of county roads and are filling pot holes as they come upon them.

“If anyone in the county sees pot holes that need to be repaired, please call either the Road Department or the county judge’s office,” he said.

• The court okayed the hiring of Bobby Barnes as a part-time security officer at the Justice Center at $15 per hour.
• Magistrate Charlie Garnett said that right at 200 more children have signed up to play summer baseball and girl’s softball than participated last year.

“If you haven’t been to River Road Park recently, you need to go down there and see what it looks like,” Garnett said. “It looks great. I’ve never seen it look better.”

He said advertising signs from local and area businesses have been placed on the outfield fences as a way for Parks and Recreation to generate additional revenue.

• Two bids to provide road stone for the County Road Department were opened. Hinkle Contracting was awarded the bid. The rejected bid was from Hilltop Stone.
• Magistrate Lemons also reported that the Shropshire Animal Shelter was holding its own, in terms of cats and dogs coming into the shelter, compared to those animals being adopted.

“Since our last meeting, we’ve taken in 57 animals and have adopted out 43,” he said. “The women running the shelter are doing a really good job out there.”

• The court approved a $1 per hour pay increase for Michael Jackson at the Road Department for his completion of a pesticide certification program. His pay raise took effect on April 8 and will increase his pay to $19.50 per hour.
• The court authorized Marshall to sign an inter-local government agreement with Grant County for the disposal of waste tires.

The agreement sets out the terms between Grant and Harrison counties for the disposal of those tires.

The agreement will allow Harrison County to send all passenger car and light truck tires to the Grant County Solid Waste Management District for shredding and disposal.

The Harrison County Fiscal Court will be charged the following fees for tires:

1. passenger car and light truck tires, off the rim --$2.

2. passenger car and light truck tires, rim on --$3

3. agricultural tractor and implement tires — (case by case).

4. Large truck and tractor trailer tires — not accepted.

The agreement shall be effective on the initial date of signing, and then will be automatically renewed on July 1, of every year thereafter.