The Marshall County Council heard the first reading of the 2024 Budget during their regular meeting in July. The 2023 budget was approximately $32 million, in 2024 $35 million has been requested.
Items that were addressed during the meeting included a recommendation by County Council President Jesse Bohannon to increase the Commissioners wages by six percent as opposed to three percent indicating that he did not agree with the wage freeze last year.
The council noted a sharp increase of 70 percent requested by the Commissioners for Group Health Insurance. While insurance rates are rising, members of the council questioned if a 70% increase would be necessary to meet the need in 2024.
Bohannon made a recommendation to increase two line items in the Motor Vehicle Highway fund with $200,000 in contractual services to be designated for outsourced pothole repair and another $200,000 for outsourced chip and seal.
Marshall County Sheriff Matthew Hassel requested a 12 percent increase for his merit officers. The Council approved a 14 percent increase in 2023.
The council had further discussion regarding the Local Income Tax (LIT). The ultimate goal is to reduce the surplus in the jail fund to avoid it being locked-in for jail maintenance only in 2027 while at the same time ensuring enough revenue to fund annual operational expenses.
The council hopes to communicate with Community Corrections to see if funding can be utilized for the Jail Chemical Addictions Program (JCAP) Director; being advised that their Project Income is flexible for their needs and can be used for what their board approves.
The council will explore funding options for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Director position in the amount of $45,000; a request previously made by Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Curtis Palmer.
In one of the subcommittee meetings, County Recorder Janet Howard was asked to review her Perpetuation Fund to see if she could fund her full-time employee from that revenue source.
Coroner John Grolich asked for a wage increase for his deputy coroner.
Chief Probation Officer James Bendy asked for additional funding to meet shortfalls where grant funding has decreased.
Plan Director Ty Adley’s budget saw an increase in a request for the planning technician; a position already discussed and supported.
Superior Court No. 2 Judge Dean Colvin requested a 5 percent increase for his staff; up 2 percent from the recommended 3 percent. He requested during a subcommittee meeting that if the council does decide to cut his budget that they collaborate with him on where those cuts are made.
Marshall County Public Health Nurse Sandy Dunfee communicated at length with the council during subcommittee meetings, the regular council meeting, and during the initial budget meeting on her Health First Budget – the result of Senate Bill 4 which provides money to counties to provide critical resources through local health departments.
The council wanted to see an additional $1,500 be placed in additional training expenses; and increased their request from $10,000 to $20,000 for Professional Services and Legal Services for 2024.
The public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday, September 14 at 9 a.m. ET in the second floor meeting room (Room 203) in the Marshall County Building at 112 W. Jefferson Street in Plymouth. The budget adoption is scheduled for October 12.
