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Simpson County approves Budget Amendment #3, adopts change to commercial permit fee ordinance and authorizes bid advertisements
Summary
Fiscal Court approved first reading of Budget Amendment No. 220.261 (adding $571,772.67), voted to amend Ordinance No. 920.118 to set a $200 minimum commercial permit fee and $75 reinspection fee (with two recusals), and authorized advertising FY25/26 asphalt and rock bids and a May 20 public hearing.
Simpson County Fiscal Court on April 15 approved a first reading of Budget Amendment No. 220.261, authorized changes to a commercial-permit fee ordinance, and moved forward with multiple procurement advertisements and budget transfers.
The court approved first reading of Ordinance No. 220.261 (Budget Amendment #3), which increases appropriations by $571,772.67. County officials said some of the new funding consists of sheriff’s grants and carryover used to address County Clerk building needs. The motion passed with a majority voice vote.
The court also voted to amend Ordinance No. 920.118 to clarify commercial electrical permit fees. Building Inspector Jonathan Chandler told the court that the existing 1.3%-of-contract formula sometimes yields permit fees too small to cover inspection costs and office overhead; he urged a $200 minimum fee for commercial permits and a $75 charge for additional reinspections. “When you do that, your permit fees don't cover the inspections,” Chandler said, arguing for the proposed minimum to ensure fees cover inspection and office costs. The motion to amend 920.118 passed with Magistrates Scott Poston, Jeffrey Burr and Marty Chandler voting yes and Magistrates Myron Thurman and Mason Bames recorded as recused.
The court authorized advertising the County Road Aid and Local Government Economic Assistance hearing for May 20 (ad to run in the May 8 edition of the local paper) and directed staff to advertise Fiscal Year 2025–26 asphalt and rock bids (ads on May 8; bids due May 28 at 9 a.m.; bids to be presented at the first June meeting). The court approved the March financial statement (subject to audit) and multiple intra-budget transfers, including a $150,000 reallocation from ARPA County Clerk Building funds into Economic Development site preparation.
Clerk minutes, the detention center policy, individual budget transfers and a comprehensive bills-and-claims register were also approved during the session. The meeting concluded with the judges and department heads scheduling a special-called budget presentation meeting for April 29 to meet budget timeframes.
