By GARETT VALCOURT
Budget constraints dominated discussion during the June 17 meeting of the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners, prompting the board to unanimously implement a hiring freeze for all non-essential county positions in a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Clint Erickson declining.
Project Director David Corbin presented a detailed overview of the county’s financial outlook, citing multiple contributing factors to what he described as a “thin and tough budget year.” Among those were an 8.79% increase in the county’s power bill, a 10% increase in employee health insurance premiums, adjustments to state retirement rates, and the possibility of the state enacting permanent sales tax exemptions.
“These cost increases are putting significant pressure on the county’s operating budget,” Corbin stated, noting there is currently no indication of relief in the near term.
Further concerns were raised by Shawnda Langford, an employee of the Holmes County Library, who addressed the board regarding compensation disparities. Langford said she is responsible for training employees who earn the same wage she does and reported receiving only a one-cent raise last year, bringing her pay up to the minimum wage. She added that she is not expecting any increase this year.
The county is also facing a setback with the anticipated sale of property on Deacon Road, a transaction that was expected to generate revenue to help stabilize the budget but has reportedly fallen through.
With rising operational costs and failed revenue projections, county officials agreed that immediate action was necessary. As a result, the board moved to impose a hiring freeze for all non-essential positions until further evaluation of the budget can be conducted.
The county is expected to revisit its financial strategy in upcoming meetings.
Hannah Collins 