Newton County approves new bonds, extends flood disaster declaration, adopts budget amendments and directs auditor to pursue new accounting software

Newton County commissioners approved a set of newly filed bonds, extended a flood disaster declaration tied to spring 2024 storms, and adopted two budget amendments at a January 2025 court meeting. Commissioners also approved payment of county bills with a notation about an interstate-billing credit and directed the county auditor to evaluate and return with options for upgraded accounting software and a purchasing/PO process.

The court voted to accept the new bonds filed for several county officials, including Colton Havard (bond filed), Robert Burvey (constable), Greg Harbison (constable), Prentiss Hopson (commissioner), Carla Brooks (justice of the peace) and Melissa Burkes (tax assessor). A motion to accept the bonds was made and seconded and the court approved the filings by voice vote. The motion to accept the bonds was made and seconded; the meeting record shows the court approved the matter as part of the consent agenda.

The court took no action on two previously authorized emergency declarations — the Hurricane Laura declaration and an older…