County investing in sheriff, roads

Over half of the county’s general fund budget will go toward law enforcement and roads.

Madison County will be operating on a $200 million total budget for Fiscal Year 2025, continuing a trend of no tax increases since 2012. The total budget includes state and federal appropriations along with bond monies. The general fund is approximately $60 million. 

County Administrator Greg Higginbotham presented the board of supervisors with a proposed budget to adopt during Tuesday’s board meeting. 

Last year’s budget was approximately $200 million, too. 

“First and foremost, there are no new taxes implemented by this board this year,” Higginbotham said. “The only change in the millage rate is a direct request from the Farmhaven Fire Protection board.”

Higginbotham said residents living within the Farmhaven Fire District will see an increase of 2 mills. He said that will generate approximately $20,000 in revenue the district will use for staffing. 

“The millage rate stays exactly the same as far as the county goes,” he said. “There has not been a millage increase from this board in quite awhile.”

Supervisors unanimously adopted the budget. In the general fund and road and bridge fund, 32 percent is for law enforcement, and 23 percent is for roads and bridges. 

Sheriff Randy Tucker asked the board last month to increase his budget by $1 million for the next year to stay competitive with starting salaries, citing an ongoing “bidding war” between agencies across the state. The county will spend approximately $18 million next year on law enforcement.

The new starting salary for deputies is $55,000, up from $45,700.

“As county administrator and as a taxpayer here, having the bulk of my money going to law enforcement and roads — it makes sense,” Higginbotham said, noting the continued growth in the county. “To continue down that path you have to keep people safe and give them roads they can drive on.”

County employees making less than $50,000 per year will receive a 5-percent increase, while those making above $50,000 will receive a 3-percent increase. 

Twelve percent of the general fund budget will be spent on the county court system, with administration eating up 9 percent. The Tax Collector and Tax Assessor’s offices account for 7 percent of the general fund budget. Buildings and grounds also account for 7 percent. 

Board President Gerald Steen lauded Higginbotham and the board for the months of work put into the budget “to do what we think is best for the county.”