Putnam County Commissioners approved the new fiscal year budget Monday night with a plan that keeps spending below last year’s levels.
“Remember we had budgeted conservatively on revenue, so if everything is better than we think, actually any better than we think, we’re going to be in great shape,” County Commissioner Chair Ben Rodgers said.
The budget includes no property tax increase with the tax rate set at 2.926. Commissioners approved total appropriations for the county in the amount of $184,723,564. Rodgers said the number is less than last year.
Commissioner Jimmy Neal said he wanted to make sure the county considered increasing the number of sheriff’s patrol cars to be purchased. Neal said the county could could explore grant money or using additional revenue should it become available.
“We just don’t want to get too behind on that,” Neal said.
County leaders submitted status quo budgets expecting revenues would be affected by COVID-19. County Mayor Randy Porter said the county could consider additional spending, especially in capital areas, if revenues do improve. Early sales tax indications show less impact than expected from COVID.
“All the officials did a great job and led by example by turning in budgets that we could use this year, and we could stay efficient with our money,” Rodgers said.
