By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The Henry County Commission recessed its meeting Monday night and will resume July 30 for action on the 2019-2020 budget. The budget was presented to the full commission by County Mayor Brent Greer with a summary that showed there will be no new property taxes in the new budget, which will also include a two percent cost of living raise for county employees.
The total $155,097,320 budget includes a general fund of $12,235,817. The tax rate required for the total budget is $2.091, which is the same as last year.
Other categories in the budget are: debt service fund, $2,979,217; drug control fund, $30,450; Education Funds, $35,221,035; Education Capital Projects, zero; General Capital Projects, $251,258; Highway Fund, $$6,598,024; Medical Center, $99,115,593, and Solid Waste, $665,926.
Greer noted, “I’m proud that we have such a large amount of funds for education. I think that speaks well for our community.”
Newly-hired County Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins was on hand for the meeting to introduce herself to the commissioners.
Henry Co. Medical Center CEO Lisa Casteel was also at the meeting to provide an overview of hospital activities. Greer said she also will be attending a work session in September to discuss the need for a new ambulance at the hospital.
Casteel told the commission that the hospital is growing, noting it added 9-10 physicians this year and is in the process of hiring a pulmonologist. “You saw on the budget that the Medical Center Fund is close to $100 M”, she said, noting that admissions, surgeries and other key areas are much higher at the local hospital than the median for hospitals their size.
“We have our work cut out for us. We’re not perfect by any means,” she said, “but we’re turning things around.”
Greer said at last week’s budget committee meeting that he will be applying for a $20,000 grant from the USDA to go toward the purchase of a new ambulance for the hospital, along with money from debt service, and that no extra taxpayer money will be needed.
Photo: HCMC CEO Lisa Casteel makes a presentation to the commission. (Shannon McFarlin photo)
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