The Jones County Board of Education had its first look at the 2022-23 draft budget that not only includes increased funds from the state but also an eliminated deduction.
The May 26 budget workshop was called to order by Chairman Ginger Bailey.
School Superintendent Charles Lundy gave a few comments prior to the budget presentation. He asked members to keep in mind that the $2,000 teacher supplements had some backside expenses for the county.
The superintendent said the budget includes an increase for classified employees and a necessary increase in the cost of gasoline and diesel.
CFO Tonya Merritt started her budget presentation with a PowerPoint to go over the highlights. Based on the projected 2022 tax digest, the estimated property tax revenue was $11,874,905, and the estimated total local revenues for 2023 was $13,494,905.
Merritt said state revenue is expected in the amount of $38,370,341 for a total revenue of $51,865,246. Local revenue is 26.02 percent of the projected budget with state revenues at 73.98 percent.
She said the previous annual austerity reduction from the state had been eliminated for 2023, which is good news.
The total budget is a five percent increase from the $48,601,129 budget in 2022. The draft budget shows a beginning cash balance of $22,805,314.
The CFO said the teachers’ retirement expense would increase from 19.81 percent to 19.98 percent in fiscal year 2023 for an estimated increase of $348,496.
Other anticipated added expenses include five more PEC teachers, increases in contracted services for occupational and speech therapists, two additional days for school nurses and one additional school resource officer.
That is in addition to the increase for classified employees previously mentioned, increased fuel costs and $258,864 for school nutrition.
Board member Alfred Pitts asked for more security for elementary schools in light of recent events.
“We need to step up and do anything needed to be done at these schools. We need to be prepared to pay Gray Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office if they don’t get the grants for resource officers,” he said. “We also need metal detectors. We just need to do all we can.”
Board member Dr. Nancy Nash agreed.
“We don’t want anyone to ever say it couldn’t happen to us,” she added.
Lundy said the board would vote on the draft budget May 31. He said he is requesting a 3 percent increase for classified employees because it is needed.
“We are in a competitive market right now for qualified people,” he said.
