County approves budget, millage, appropriation amendment

The County General Fund expects to spend $5.34 million against expected revenue of $5.43 million, a surplus of nearly $83,000. In addition, the fund will carry over about $1.55 million from 2021.

The Road Fund has $$3.88 million appropriated compared to $3.34 in expected revenue, a deficit of almost $546,000. As previously reported, most of the deficit comes from the expected purchase of five trucks for the department at a cost of about $500,000. In addition, the fund will carry over about $1.25 million from 2021.

The Special Reserve Fund (created by removal of the Sheriff’s Department – but not the revenue collected – from the County General Fund) shows $1.8 million in expected revenue against only $60,000 in appropriations, for a surplus of $1.74 million. It also carries over more than $514,000 from this year.

The Law Enforcement Fund (created by combining the Sheriff’s Department with the Jail Fund) shows revenue of $7.73 million and appropriations of $7.69 million, for a $62,198.53 surplus. The fund also has $5.34 million in funds carried over from 2021.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund shows both revenue and appropriations to be $4.41 million, for an even balance, plus $3.44 million carried over from 2021.

The Hard Surface Maintenance Program Fund (responsible for the reported improvement in the condition of paved roads in the county) has more than $677,000 in revenue (plus more than $242,000 in 2021 carryover) compared to $575,000 in appropriations.

The court also approved an ordinance levying county, city and school property taxes for 2022. “This comes to the court every year to be voted on,” said Greene County Judge Rusty McMillon. “The cities determine what they’re going to set ... and the county has to give approval to that.”

McMillon added that the millage amounts are the same as for 2021.

As in previous years, the County General Fund will receive property taxes at the rate of 3.6 mills each for real and personal property, while the County Road and the Library Funds will each receive 1 mill each for real and personal property. The school district in Greene County will receive property taxes on both real and personal property at the following rates:

Rector – 38.49

Marmaduke – 34.1

Greene County Tech – 37.49

Paragould – 37.62

The millage rates for the cities in the county are as follows for both real and personal property:

Paragould city – 2.4

Paragould fire – 0.4

Marmaduke city – 2

Marmaduke fire – 0.3

Lafe city -1.3

Oak Grove Heights city – 2

Delaplaine city – 1.4

The county voted to amend the 2021 appropriation ordinance to add $260,000 to buy five acres adjacent to the county property on which the Extension office/election center is to be built. It also voted to add $1.89 million in ARPA funds to the ARPA account, and $1 to the newly created ARPA Revenue Replacement fund for county roads.