Simpson County Fiscal Court approves first reading of FY22/23 budget amendment, authorizes transfers and financial filings

County Judge Executive Mason Barnes called the Simpson County Fiscal Court to order on Aug. 16, 2022, and the court approved first reading of FY22/23 Budget Ordinance No. 220.243, Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $900,532.94.

The first reading was moved by Magistrate Nathaniel Downey and seconded by Magistrate Marty Chandler; the motion passed unanimously. The amendment was presented as an initial step in the budget process; no final enactment was recorded at the meeting.

The court also approved a set of budget transfers from reserve (01-9200-999) to operating accounts, including $8,300 to sheriff vehicles (SRO), $29,025 to sheriff law-enforcement supplies (SRO) and $18,960 to a jail roof repair account. Magistrate Myron Thurman moved the transfers; Magistrate Nathaniel Downey seconded, and the court voted unanimously to approve the transfers.

In discussion of facilities work, the court authorized moving forward with coating the final section of the county jail roof ahead of schedule because the roofing product’s price is rising and availability is declining; Waterman Building Services quoted $18,960 for the work. Judge Barnes said departments should notify him if they have equipment or vehicles they want to sell.

The court approved bills and claims as submitted, including payroll and vendor payments recorded on the meeting docket. Among the items listed on the claims docket were payments to Don Franklin and F‑S Industrial Authority; the clerk presented a detailed vendor list for the record. The court also approved the July 31, 2022, financial statement subject to audit and authorized signatures of Judge Barnes and Treasurer Nicole Law.

The actions recorded at the Aug. 16 meeting were procedural approvals and financial housekeeping rather than final adoption of the budget ordinance; the budget amendment will proceed through the required subsequent steps before becoming effective.