Stephens County adopts FY-2022 tax rate, budget

During the public hearing held last Monday, Stephens County Commissioners approved the tax rate and budget for fiscal year 2022, which begins Jan. 1, 2022. No members of the public spoke during the meeting.

The county adopted the same rate of $0.80 per $100 of valuation, with an M&O (maintenance and operation) rate of $0.6169 per $100 of valuation and an I&S (interest and sinking) rate of $0.1831 per $100 of valuation. According to the county’s tax rate notice, the approved rate increases the tax on the average homestead by $84.64, from $585.86 in 2021 to $670.50 in 2022. The total tax levy on all properties will rise from $3,831,534 in 2021 to $4,197,809 in 2022, an increase of $366,275.

Adopted 2022 budget
The county also approved the budget for fiscal year 2022 during the Sept. 13 meeting.

“We’ve worked on this budget for the last two months,” Stephens County Judge Michael Roach said. “It’s on our website, we’ve made some changes, after visiting with elected officials. Those changes are very minor from the original proposed budget.”

According to documents available on the county’s website, the adopted budget’s expenditures will increase $567,391.10, from $3,550,538 in 2021 to $4,117,930 in 2022. The budget’s revenues are set to increase $805,478.10, from $3,495,024.90 to $4,300,503, which is partially due to a payment, totaling $712,000, from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The approved budget includes raises for 13 officials, totaling $74,889 annually, and auto allowance increases for six officials, totaling $10,900 annually.

The largest portion of the salary increase is from Constable Wayne McMullen, whose employment status is being changed from part-time to full. His part-time salary of $20,826 was raised by $33,774, to a full-time salary of $54,600.

Judge Roach will receive an increase of $2,880 to his yearly salary, from $55,120 to $58,000, with an auto allowance increase from $7,500 to $10,000. Judge Roach also receives an annual state salary supplement of $25,200.

Salaries for Stephens County Clerk, Jackie Ensey, and District Clerk, Christie Coapland, will both increase from $52,000 to $54,600. Justice of the Peace, Steve Spoon, will receive a salary increase of $4,933, from $49,667 to $54,600, with an auto allowance increase of $1,200, from $2,400 to $3,600.

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