Commission approves multiple budget amendments, including $784,701.67 school model grant

HICKMAN COUNTY — The Hickman County Commission approved multiple budget amendments during its meeting, most notably a $784,701.67 amendment tied to a school model grant the county said the local school board had approved. Commissioners also approved a $111,829 carryover for an EMS station in Pinewood and smaller amendments for tourism and homeland security.

The budget committee brought five amendments to the commission, grouping three smaller items together: $12,500 from tourism to support the Banana Food and Festival, $8,375 from a Homeland Security grant, and $59,362 to fund a jail position. The commission approved those grouped items by roll call.

The commission then approved a $111,829 budget carryover marked for the Pinewood EMS station "so that those funds could be used within this year," a staff member said during the meeting. That amendment passed on roll call.

The largest amendment, $784,701.67, was described as budgeting related to a school model grant and noted as having been approved by the local school board. A motion to approve that amendment passed by roll call.

All roll-call tallies recorded during those votes showed broad support among commissioners present. The meeting packet included a letter from the state reminding the county about the budget timetable.

These amendments were presented by the budget committee and approved without recorded amendments to the countywide tax rate or changes to previously adopted appropriations.

Commissioners said they would monitor implementation and follow reporting procedures required by state law and grant terms.