Commissioners consider FY 2024 budget

Young County Judge Win Graham and County Commissioners have been meeting regularly with elected officials to discuss their proposed budgets for fiscal year 2025, which begins October 1.

Judge Graham reported that he and 90th District Judge Phillip Gregory agreed on the need to increase the pay rate for court-appointed attorneys. “Our research shows that Young County has not adjusted attorney compensation in this century, and we are not competitive with our surrounding counties,” Judge Graham said. “We need to consider this added expense if we want to have competent attorneys taking cases in our courts.”

Judge Graham said hospital administrators from Graham and Olney requested that the county contribute more money to further subsidize costs associated with operating their ambulance services. The debate centers around who should bear the costs of providing ambulance services to the county, Judge Graham said. “Ambulance services are very expensive, and the major question is whether these costs should be covered by the hospital tax, or if the cities and counties should increase their tax rates to subsidize the services provided by the hospitals,” Judge Graham said. “There’s no easy solution, and the debate will continue as the hospitals, county, and cities work on their budgets.”

County administrators also discussed employee raises, staffing, repairs to the aging courthouse, and assistance for mental health provider Helen Farabee, and other priorities for the coming fiscal year, he said.

Alan Craig, the newly elected Precinct 3 Commissioner, has attended the meetings and observed the process. Mr. Craig will take over the Precinct 3 job when Commissioner Stacey Rogers retires at the end of this year.

The Commissioners plan to vote on whether to adopt the new budget by Aug. 26, Judge Graham said.