The Jones County Board of Commissioners met with department heads last week to hear their requests for the 2025 budget.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the Aug. 16 budget work session to order. He and Commissioner Sam Kitchens were present at 9 a.m., and all board members were in attendance by 9:30 a.m.
Before the requests began, County Administrator Jason Rizner reminded commissioners of multiple projects already approved but waiting to be completed.
“We have a lot still hanging out there,” he said.
Rizner said the county is in good financial shape and will end the year with surplus funds.
The requests began with the Jones County Board of Health, which requested $89,000 in county support be put back in the budget. Sylvia Woodward with the North Central Health District spoke on behalf of the department.
Chief Appraiser Tony George requested additional travel funds, training dues funding, an additional employee and new office furniture. He said the county has grown, and his desk is being held together with tape.
George also asked to hire a personal property audit service for an audit that needs to be done. He said the audit would pay for itself.
Jones County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Earl Humphries spoke on behalf of the sheriff’s office. He requested a shift differential for nights and holidays, new alco-sensor units, new laundry equipment and other equipment for the jail.
Humphries also talked about additional expenses for cameras and radio equipment.
Water superintendent Brandon Stark requested funds for clearing rights of way, concrete and asphalt and a big-ticket item, a complete water meter change out.
Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger talked about the possibility of a splash pad, pickleball courts, senior programing at the Mattie Wells Gym, an aerator for the golf course and a tractor.
Public Works Director Shawn Wood had multiple requests for new equipment, some at costs of thousands and others, hundreds of thousands.
Division Chief John Shipley spoke for EMA requesting reapportionment of vehicles and the repair of the training trailer.
Building Maintenance Director Donald White talked about repairs at several buildings and replacement of a fence at Liberty Park. Animal Services Director Jennifer Allen asked for a sign on the building and body cameras for animal control officers.
After a short lunch break, commissioners heard from IT director Will Harp, who talked about the need for enhanced WIFI security and the future need of a new server. He said the county’s server is seven years old, which is the usual time for it to be replaced.
Superior Court Clerk Pam Dixon requested promotions and salary increases for two key employees.
Tax Commissioner Brian Jackson told the board he would need an electronic payment specialist to deal with the county’s handling of online payments as more people are using that option. Kitchens asked if that would reduce the number of employees needed. Jackson said that was possible, and there were some retirements anticipated.
Commissioner Daylon Martin asked about a kiosk for taxes in Jones County, and Jackson said that could be possible in the future if that system becomes more reliable.
County Extension Agent Brennan Jackson was the final presenter. He asked for increased wages for a part-time position, a line item for a youth program and an increase in the county’s administrative assistant contribution.
Rizner spoke for the Senior Center that requested funds for an event to host other senior centers and the need for a new van.
At the end of the day, the requests from department heads totaled $4,094,991.
Rizner said the county would receive an estimated $440,000 in additional revenue this year, and with other available funds, he was comfortable that there would be $700,000 to allocate for the requests.
Kitchens stated the obvious, that the requests would need to be prioritized. He asked the administrator to prepare a spreadsheet with the requests. Public Works had a lot of big asks.
“There are a lot of decisions to make. Some of the big equipment requests could be whether to lease or buy,” he said.
Kitchens suggested talking to department heads about their priorities. The administrator agreed and also said many of the projects could be funded other ways, such as LMIG funds.
Rizner said he could have the spreadsheet prepared by Aug. 27. Board members agreed to a called meeting that day in order to pass the budget.
