Caldwell County Fiscal Court approved the County Clerk’s estimated budget for 2023, along with the Sheriff’s and Clerk’s Deputies’ annual orders setting maximum salaries for 2023, and a water board appointment at Tuesday morning’s meeting.
In new business, magistrates unanimously approved the 2023 Caldwell County Clerk estimated budget of approximately $4.5 million in receipts and $4.4 million for disbursements. County Clerk Jennifer Watson-Hale explained there were some things that increased from last year’s budget.
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Magistrates also approved the 2023 Caldwell Clerk’s Deputies annual order setting maximum salaries for a total of $297,000, which Watson-Hale said is the same amount as last year.
click to download audioAlso on the meeting agenda was a bid for a Verity Scan bundle for the Caldwell County Clerk’s Office which Watson Hale explained another voting machine would give them a spare for early voting if it was needed.
click to download audioShe said that adding one more machine would make the flow go better for early voting, but noted they currently have enough voting machines that will be sufficient.
click to download audioDistrict 4 Magistrate Jeff Simms voiced his concerns about the rate of change, requirements, and security with voting machines right now, along with the possibility the machine could be obsolete in a few years. After more discussion that this is something they could look into in the future if needed, magistrates voted to reject the bid.
In other new business, magistrates declared a 2007 John Deere for trade-in value as surplus after Simms explained the tractor is unserviceable.
click to download audioMagistrates also approved a bid in the amount of $169,158 from Hutson, Inc. for a new tractor and side arm mower to replace the John Deere that was declared as surplus.
In unfinished business, magistrates approved the 2023 Caldwell County Sheriff’s annual order setting the maximum salaries for a total of $507,495; and the appointment of Allison Herndon to the Caldwell County Water District Board of Directors to fill the unexpired term of Chris Noel. Her term will expire on December 31, 2023.
