Caldwell County Fiscal Court approved the county’s budget for the next fiscal year and declared bullet-proof vests from the jail as surplus.
Judge-Executive Larry Curling presented the first reading of each department’s budget with a total budget amount of over $9.28 million for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
click to download audioDistrict 4 Magistrate Jeff Simms expressed his appreciation for the department heads and magistrates who helped with the budget, which he pointed out includes increases for employees and a $4 million bond for tornado clean up.
click to download audioJudge Curling noted they would send the budget to the state for approval and then the fiscal court would have the second reading when it’s returned.
Simms added the county has a lot of unknowns coming and this budget was the biggest challenge he has been a part of since becoming a magistrate, He also noted he believes there are more challenges ahead.
Magistrates also approved paying election officers $15 an hour, and the purchase of a new mower for an amount up to $10,000 for Youth, Inc.
During reports by department heads, Jailer Jon Pettit said he had 30 bullet-proof vests he wanted to declare as surplus for law enforcement agencies.
click to download audioDistrict 2 Magistrate Jeff Boone made a motion to surplus all of the bullet-proof vests for a law enforcement agency which was approved by magistrates.
During magistrates’ comments, District 3 Magistrate Brent Stallins said he was out on Dawson Road this past weekend and there is a lot of new construction underway. He said the residents are moving ahead and they were out working in their yards, but he asks that everyone continue to keep them in our prayers.
click to download audioThe next regularly scheduled fiscal court meeting will be held at 9:00 Tuesday morning, May 10th. Anyone interested in addressing the fiscal court should contact Judge Curling’s office no later than noon Friday, May 6th.
