Commissioners Approve 2025 Operating Budget

The budget was presented for consideration and approved during the Jan. 22 meeting of the Ripley County Commission.

A summarized breakdown of anticipated revenues includes: property tax at $13,000; and sales tax at $2,090,000, with $2,545,793 in net cash available going into the new year.

Revenues are largely made up of grant dollars, which come through the county, but are already appropriated.

With that in mind, the budget is based on projected revenues including general revenues of $1,639,250; with $1,562,031 in the special road and bridge fund; $173,767 in the assessment fund; and an LEST (Law Enforcement Sales Tax) fund of $1,964,382.

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An estimated $186,465 will come in from charges for services, such as from making copies and fees paid to the sheriff’s office and recorder of deeds.

That puts the total revenues and available cash combined at $10,896,182.

Total expenditures for 2025 are estimated to be at $8,809,735.

A summary of expenditures provided by the Ripley County Clerk’s office includes a breakdown of officials’ salaries (which, where applicable, also includes support staff) as follows: county commissioners: 99,500; county clerk: $119,081; treasurer: $48,931; collector: $104,631; recorder of deeds: $87,131; circuit clerk (staff): $44,200; public administrator: $72,491; sheriff: $564,901; prosecuting attorney: $314,020; juvenile officer: $88,000; coroner: $37,013; and assessor: $166,925.

Employee fringe benefits will account for $337,000 of the money spent next year.

A projected $248,100 was budgeted for upkeep and maintenance of buildings and grounds. Wages for the courthouse security guard and housekeeper will fall under that heading, which comes out of general revenue.

The budget sets aside $711,988 for operation of the Ripley County Detention Center and $12,349 for elections.

An emergency fund of $75,000 has been set aside in the budget.

The budget allows $1,326,700 to be spent for highways and roads.

Anyone who would like to view the complete budget can do so at the office of the Ripley County Clerk. It is also possible to request and receive a copy online.