wcjudge@cswnet.comCommittee wrangles over tax structure |
i WebTech:: Chird Bobbitt wccomp@cswnet.com © White County 1997-2xxx All rights reserved |
wcjudge@cswnet.com
Staff Writer 02/2002
When a specially appointed committee met last night to discuss the tax structure of White County, it was decided that little else could be done now except to meet with the full Quorum Court.
After a couple of hours of hashing out the budget woes of White County, members of the committee, appointed by White County Judge Bob Parish, wrestled with decreased revenues, increased budget expenses and law enforcement.
Quorum Court Member Bud Osborn and chairman of the budget committee said, "We're spending more than we're taking in. We're okay this year. But, by year's end - we'll be broke." He further explained that insurance is up by 25 percent and retirement is up to 10 percent from eight percent. In addition, he said, the sheriff's and county detention center's budget are over. "These costs," Osborn said, "are eating us alive."
The sheriff's and detention center budget comprise 53 percent of the county general fund, which is where the budget shortage exists. There is approximately $165,000 that the state of Arkansas owes White County for housing prisoners waiting to be transferred to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The governor's office has said the state will not pay the money owed to the counties. On any average day, the detention center is at least 20 prisoners over the limit allowed.
Osborn said, "We're living off reserves right now - losing about $250,000 per year."
Committee member Donnie Miller said, "Ultimately, we'll have to do something. You cannot let the county go broke."
In the second of several planned meetings, many options were discussed at length. They decided to bring several items before the court and discuss 1) Re-allocating the current sales tax 2) raising the millage by the court and 3) voting on a new sales tax.
Members of the committee include: Jeff Smith, chairman; Bald Knob Mayor Doyle Wallace; Lou Thompson of Floyd; Judy Riley; Beebe Mayor Donald Ward; Donnie Miller; Jim Wilson; Brenda Pruitt of Judsonia from the Arkansas Association of Counties; Barry Farris of ASU-Beebe; Randy McLeod of Harding University as well as Parish.