JPs Approve 2024 Budget With 6% COLA

The 11 JPs at the November Quorum Court meeting flew through a lengthy agenda, including consideration of changes to the Enola-Holland Fire Department geographical boundaries and the approval of the 2024 County budget with a 6% COLA.

County Judge Jim Dodson obtained the Court’s approval for his latest appointment to the Library Board: Cindy Stage.

JPs Kris Kendrick (R, Dist. 9) and Eden Roberts (R, Dist. 12) were absent.

In a little over an hour the Court quickly dispatched second readings of several Personnel Committee resolutions, and approved everything else on the agenda including two “tax back” Ordinances — one for Farmakeio and one for West Rock Beverage Company.

The only “no” votes came during the budget discussion when JP John Allison (R, District 3) called for a 3.2% COLA instead of the 6% increase already built into the budget documents as distributed.

Although JPs Allison, Jason Lyon (R, Dist. 8), and Sam Strain (R, Dist. 4) voted to lower the COLA, the 8 other JPs voted to keep the 6% COLA in place. Allison and Strain voted “no” on the overall 2024 Budget approval.

(Budget Chair JP Tyler Lachowsky (R, Dist. 6) discusses the 2024 Budget starting at minute 41:45 below.)

Videos edited from original video on Faulkner County’s YouTube channel.)

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