Miller County judge outlines $8.67 million reworked budget, proposes 3% pay raise; vehicle purchases to be finalized

The county judge told Miller County officials the board has reworked the fiscal plan to $8,669,718 after cuts and proposed a 3% across‑the‑board cost‑of‑living raise for full‑time county employees, funded largely by transfers from investment reserves and expected December revenue. "We're going to give 3% cost of living raise across the board for county employees," the judge said.

Board documents and the judge's remarks show the printed available appropriation is $8,545,995.84; the judge said accounting for cuts the working total is $8,669,718 and that adding the 3% raises (with employer matching) would add roughly $140,800 to payroll costs. To cover the shortfall, the judge said staff will transfer funds into the county investment account to bring it to roughly $4,000,000, including moving $98,847 from a cash balance line (111006) originally set aside for jail plumbing repairs.

Why it matters: officials said maintaining reserves gives the county…