Hickman County commissioners approve EMA, veterans and highway budgets; set public hearing date

Hickman County commissioners on the evening under review approved several budget items and scheduling changes after discussion about department staffing needs and fund balance constraints.

The meeting opened with a staff presentation of the county’s bottom line: about $3,000,008.72 in total and a plan to use approximately $1,727,009.33 of fund balance to balance next year’s budgets. Commissioners and department heads framed that as part of a customary approach to budgeting toward an estimated ending balance.

A prominent thread of discussion focused on personnel funding for small, critical programs. The emergency management director (identified in discussion as “Pete”) explained why he proposed moving money explicitly into a part‑time salary line: once the budget is adopted, transfers from operating lines into salary categories require county approval, so the alternate shows funds put into the part‑time line now to allow hiring without later intra‑department transfers. “This would allow me to work someone 24 hours a week instead of just 8 hours every 2 weeks, which would benefit me greatly,” the director said, adding that recent storms and multi‑incident responses left his office stretched.

Commissioner Clark moved an amendment affecting Veterans Affairs and related operating lines: set line 58‑301‑05 (the personnel line cited in the meeting) to $22,000 and zero out several operating lines (maintenance/repair, travel, gasoline, other charges) on the rationale that a part‑time veterans affairs officer would not require those operating allocations. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jordan, read aloud for clarity by staff, and then approved by roll call (recorded as 11 yes). The chair announced, “Motion carries.”

On the civil defense/EMA budget, Commissioners debated whether to include travel or gasoline lines or leave them to possible future amendment. After discussion praising department efforts during recent storms, Commissioner Clark made a motion to approve the civil defense budget with the $20,000 placed in the part‑time line. The commission approved the motion by roll call (recorded as 11 yes). As one commissioner cautioned, very tight budgets may require future budget amendments drawn from fund balance if unexpected costs arise.

The commission then considered fund 131 (highway). Staff noted estimated revenues and a 2% increase in revenues versus 6% in expenditures, and an estimated fund balance cap of about $305,000. Highway representatives indicated the department was comfortable with the figures. Commissioner Calcutt moved to approve fund 131 as presented; the motion passed by roll call (recorded as 11 yes).

Procedurally, commissioners agreed to cancel the April 30 meeting and moved a public hearing formerly set for May 18 to May 19 to accommodate school budget presentations; staff (Crystal) was asked to handle public notices.

Votes at a glance: the commission recorded unanimous roll‑call approvals (11 yes) for the Veterans Affairs line-item amendment, for the civil defense/EMA budget with the $20,000 part‑time allocation, and for fund 131 (highway) as presented.

The meeting concluded with no further business and an adjournment; commissioners thanked staff for their work on tight budgets and emergency responses.