King Speaks to Full Room
County Judge-Executive Luke King laid out His administrations accomplishments over the last year, as well as praising the work of other elected officials and improving the state of the county. – CCN photo by Greg Wells
County Judge gives packed room a rundown on the past year’s high points and future plans
By Greg Wells
CC – Editor
County Judge-Executive Luke King started off his state of the county address with the “core values of his administration.”
He quickly moved to financial issues, stating that there has been a 59% reduction in county expenses since his administration took office.
The statement was based on overtime hours racked up by County Road workers.
From the sale of unused, unneeded, or inoperable equipment he said the county has brought in $52,000.
Through local law-enforcement and the County Attorney’s office he said they have saved the county over $1,200 in roadside replacements.
He stressed that in the last year the county gave away over $100,000 more in food commodities than they had the previous year.
He added that the cost cutting didn’t replace the need for increased government revenue due to rate increases in insurance and utilities the name a few.
Then he moved on to issues surrounding money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He said that since 2019 the county had received over $3 million in federal money to fix roads and bridges damaged during flooding events.
He said the county still owes $754,477 to the federal government on those loans. King added that the annual interest rate on just those loans was around $40,000.
On the theme of interest King said that rain negotiations with the banks yielded increased funds to the county treasury.
King had high praise for the elected county officials who have worked to help the county save money, and to make money. Likewise, he praised the efforts of staff and county workers in both keeping cost down and increasing revenues.
He said all this would benefit taxpayers in the coming years as he proposed a 0.125% reduction in the occupational tax when county debt was less than $250,000 and the same cut again when the county has built up a $250,000 emergency fund.
If you want to see the full hour-long presentation King intends to have it on the Fiscal Court’s YouTube site this week.
