A robust budget could be in store for Trigg County and its next fiscal year.
During Monday night’s fiscal court meeting, Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander outlined upon first reading what is a proposed 6.6% increase to spending from last year to this next year — from $13.3 million to $14.2 million.
Among the budget’s line items, Alexander said it includes a considerable and expected focus on the rising costs of prisoner transport and incarceration of inmates within the Christian County Jail, and that’s a contract the court has already agreed to beginning this summer.
But Alexander noted some other items of considerable interest:
— A 3% raise for all county employees across the board;
— A $10,000 donation to Genesis Express for its new intergeneration building on KY 139;
— A possible $35,000 in additional election equipment for the county clerk’s office;
— A new Trigg County Rescue truck and two sets of battery-operated “Jaws of Life,” costing $190,000;
— Monies for Trigg County Rescue per diem at $30 per run and $30 per training session, capped at $75,000;
— A $10,000 investment into the “Campbell Strong” project
— $5,000 for planning and zoning
— A $300,000 investment for improvements to the Trigg County Rescue building
— A matching $225,000 for the Trigg County Recreation Complex and its concession stand, which should be met with federal dollars
Magistrate Mike Wright noted he was pleased to see a complete and comprehensive budget, without having to raise the taxes of the county.
The budget will have its second reading in June, following its preliminary approval from Frankfort.