Pulaski Quorum Court approves emergency transfer after treasurer warns revised budgets left general fund short

Pulaski County Treasurer Deborah Buckner told the Quorum Court on April 6 that revised budgets and encumbrances had produced multi‑million‑dollar shortfalls in the county general fund, and the court voted unanimously to move emergency reserve money to cover immediate needs.

Buckner, who identified herself to the record as “Deborah Buckner, Pulaski County Treasurer,” said the approved budget for 2026 showed $105,000,000 in appropriations while a later “revised” figure listed roughly $117,210,000 available — an increase she said had no corresponding cash carryover. Buckner said records show the county was overspent by $32,988,000 in 2023, that the county general reported a $5,200,000 negative balance on Dec. 31, and that the emergency reserve stands at about $52,000,000. She proposed a negotiated, short‑term transfer of $29,750,000 to keep the county operating for the next 90 days while outside…