Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Quorum Court approves budget for 2003

It was budget time for the Nevada County Quorum Court at its regular monthly meeting.

The justices of the peace took little time in approving the proposed budget for 2003.

However, arriving at the figures took the budget committee a while to reach. The committee met four times for three hours at a stretch working on the county's financial strategy for the coming year.

In the end, the county general fund will have $1,479,350.18, while the road and bridge budget will have $1,589,626.25. The solid waste department's budget will be $408,950.58.

The court didn't discuss the library's budget, as the members adopted a "wait and see" attitude and want to know what the city will be allotting to the library. This budget will be addressed after the first of the year.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said once the new building is up and operational, the library's budget will have to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.

The 9-1-1 emergency telephone system's budget will be $215,380. This will be the only time the 9-1-1 budget will be this much, as equipment has to be paid for.

JP Willie Wilson suggested the budget committee be paid extra for the additional meetings held, but the committee members declined the offer.

The approved budget also reflects a 3 percent pay raise for all county employees. It also allowed for the purchase of a new vehicle for the Nevada County Sheriff's Department and took into account a 14.9 percent increase in health insurance.

Brown said this budget allows the county a cushion of $52,000 for emergency purposes. Last year's budget had a $30,000 buffer.

"We're in better shape financially than we've been since I've been judge," Brown said, "thanks to the elected officials and JPs watching the budget."

The county, he said, also put another $40,000 into a certificate of deposit for the solid waste department to be used as needed. This amount was placed in the budget last year and not used. Now, it has more than $80,000 in it.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, addressed the court on what his office has been doing.

He said the second leadership group graduated, and the new class has been inducted, with the course to kick off in January.

A third prospect has shown interest in the Nevada County Hospital building, but none of the three has signed on the dotted line yet, he said.

Prospects have also been looking at the Red River Knitting and Funshine Furniture buildings as well.

He said the EDO's budget for 2003 will include money for trips to at least two trade shows to try and attract business and industry to Prescott and Nevada County.

This, he said, is a long term approach to industrial recruiting. At the trade shows contacts are made with major companies.

When the companies begin looking to expand or relocate, Chadwell said, he will have a contact in the upper hierarchy who can be called.

"We'll be targeting those that would fit in Prescott and Nevada County," he said.

The plan for recertification under the Arkansas Community for Excellence program has been completed and is ready to submit to the state.

On the topic of rural water, Chadwell said more easements are coming in, but until all are in hand, the project can't be let for bid.

Property owners were sent letters telling them if they don't accept the offer made to purchase the easement, the property will be condemned.

Plaques were presented to Dobber Hicks and Larry Miller for their time on the court. Hicks has been a JP for 18 years, while Miller has been on the court for six years.