The Warren County Board of Supervisors got their first review of the 2018-19 fiscal year budget Friday.

During a work session, County Administrator John Smith presented the estimated budget, which is still more than $38,652 over projected revenue of $18,413,922.

“That number needs to be zero or positive to have a balanced budget,” Smith told the board.

Total revenue for the initial budget is $496,445 more than 2017-18 in new revenue. There was a total net increase in taxes of $619,533 from the last fiscal year, but the total increase in tax revenue is $468,295.

But in order to get a balanced budget, some requested expenditures will have to be adjusted.

One area the board looked at Friday was lowering the sheriff’s department request of increasing the starting deputy salary from $36,000-plus to $34,200, which is still more than the current starting salary of $31,000-plus and the same amount the Vicksburg Police Department offers to starting officers.

“We have to realize to at least be on equal footing, but to step up and it didn’t cause us a deficit, I wouldn’t have a problem with it,” Board President Richard George said.

Smith said the majority of the working budget is for employees.

“Y’all have done the best you can for employees and trying to take care of them,” Smith said. 

School budget; roof replacement

The Vicksburg Warren School District has advertised their budget at $31,289,706, which is $760,732 more than last year’s budget. Smith said the county will be able to raise $31,213,06.

“We’re about $76,000 short,” Smith said. “I don’t anticipate any increase in taxes for the shools.”

Smith also told the board he has been contacted by Chuck Thornton, buildings and grounds manage superintendent, and was told the courthouse needs to have the membrane replaced on the roof.

“He estimates it will cost $325,000,” Smith said.

According to Smith, Thornton also said the election central and E911 building on Clay Street needs to have the roof replaced and the building painted.