By Bill Grubb

 

 

The Hawkins County Commission is scheduled to consider adoption of the county's $83 million 2008-09 spending plan, based on maintaining the current property tax rate of $2.61.

 

During the budget preparation process the commission's Budget Committee cut 10 percent from contributions for emergency services, including a $1,500 reduction in the amount allocated for the county's 12 fire departments.  The committee also recommended cuts in the amount allocated for the 911 dispatch center, the county's Hazardous Materials Team, rescue squads and the two ambulance services.

 

Commissioner-elect Stacy Vaughan, who serves as chief of the Stanley Valley Fire Department, said the budget makes cuts in "essential" services while the budget for some "non-essential" services, such as the county's two parks, increased.

 

According to the budget document, $127,666 was spent in the parks budget in the 2007-08 fiscal year.  The budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows proposed expenditures of $174,625, including $9,000 to purchase a vehicle and $25,000 in county funding to match a state grant. 

 

During a Friday meeting involving representatives of several fire departments and emergency responders the group agreed to make a final plea to commissioners at Monday's meeting to restore the proposed cuts.  Fire department representatives warned a reduction in funding will have a direct impact on the level and quality of service the departments will be able to provide.

 

Although the budget contains some cuts there are some significant increases, including a $20,000 appropriation to the Church Hill Fire Department to provide fire protection in the Phipps Bend Industrial Park.

 

The budget includes some state mandated raises for elected officials and is the first budget to include a second day of juvenile court and an adjustment in the salary for Juvenile Court Judge Jay Taylor, who was paid $28,896 in the 2007-08 fiscal year but will receive $56,260 in the 2008-09 fiscal year.

 

The state mandated raises for elected officials include:

    

A $3,831 raise for General Sessions Judge David Brand, bringing his salary up to $140,649.

 

A $3,740 raise for County Mayor Crockett Lee, bringing his salary up to $83,377.

 

A $3,562 raise for Sheriff Roger Christian and Road Superintendent Lowell Bean, bringing their salaries up to $76,407.

 

A $3,239 raise for County Clerk Carroll Jenkins, Circuit Court Clerk Holly Jaynes, Trustee Patsy Courtney, Register of Deeds Judy Kirkpatrick and Property Assessor Jack Price, who takes office September 1, bringing their salaries up to $69,461.

 

The Hawkins County Commission meets at 7 p.m. Monday in the second floor courtroom of the Hawkins County Courthouse.