Judge-executive presents Nelson Fiscal Court with $21 million budget

Judge-Executive Dean Watts discusses a requested increase in the county fire department dues in comparison to a 10 percent maximum tax a fire district could impose.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 3 p.m. — Nelson County Judge Executive Dean Watts presented Nelson Fiscal Court Tuesday morning with a draft of the county’s $21 million budget for 2016-17.

Watts noted that some numbers will change as updated figures arrive from state agencies. State law requires the judge-executive to present fiscal court with a budget by May 1.

Watts said the budget was not much different than last year’s budget. The road department budget will lose approximately $260,000 due to a drop in the county’s share of gas tax revenue, and the county anticipates some new revenue from an increase in the distilled spirits tax amounting to about $60,000.

The budget also includes purchasing two police vehicles for the Nelson County Sheriff; a single axle dump truck, a new high lift, three pickup trucks, and a new ambulance and a power lift cot system.

Watts told the court that the Old Courthouse and other county-owned buildings needed some repairs and maintenance. The budget includes hiring an architect to inspect the Old Courthouse roof and determine the best way to replace it. The budget also sets aside money for repairs at the Sutherland Building and the Nelson County Civic Center.

FIRE DUES. The Nelson County Fire Department has asked Nelson Fiscal Court for a $10 increase in the annual fire dues the department collects through county property tax bills.

The increase is the first since 2004, Chief Billy Mattingly told the court. The fire department also asked the court to agree to raise the dues $2 a year in future years.

EMS Director Joe Prewitt explains proposed changes to the county-owned EMS service rates.

Watts told the court he supported raising the annual dues to $60.

The increase is needed to help fund the fire department’s ongoing operation, he said. The department now staffs a crew of four to five firefighters at its main station near the Justice Center during the day, Monday through Friday. Watts described the necessary move as a duplication of services that were made necessary when the city and county fire departments separated last year.

EMS RATES CHANGE. EMS Director Joe Prewitt presented the court with revised rates for EMS services effective June 1, 2016.

The rates were adjusted after a review of EMS rates in neighboring counties.

Watts said the county subsidizes EMS each year, and he would like the service’s rates to allow the service to become self-supporting.

Prewitt told the court that requests for EMS services continue to climb, and it may become necessary to add a fourth ambulance in full-time service to maintain the current level of service in the county.

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