The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Jonesboro met in special session on July 1st, where they adopted the general budget for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year. While this doesn’t seem like this is such a “newsworthy” announcement, it really is.
What makes this so special? After all isn’t this something that is supposed to take place every year? The answer is yes, but what makes the announcement this year so special is that for the first time in several years, the budget was adopted within the time frame that is required by the state. And that is a very big deal.
If you have followed the fiasco’s of previous budget adoption proceedings over the past several years then you know that each and every year prior, that the Town of Jonesboro has always been late with getting their annual budget adopted. This has caused the town to be considered “out of compliance” by the Louisiana State Auditors (LSA). That is not a good place to be.
By getting the budget passed and adopted in the timely fashion prescribed by the state, the town stays in compliance of the terms stated and shows proof positive to the LSA that major improvements in the handling of the town’s finances have been made. That is a very good thing.
“I applaud and give thanks to our town council for working together with City Hall and getting this done in the time prescribed,” said Jonesboro Mayor J. “Spike” Harris. “One of the goals I hoped to achieve as Mayor was developing a united working relationship with the Board of Aldermen so that our community could move forward. This shows that this is becoming a reality, which benefits everyone and our residents most of all.”
The Board of Aldermen also held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on July 9th. During that session, Resolution 2024-07 which called for the adoption of the 2024 Millage Tax rates, was adopted. In additional action, Clay Carrol was appointed as special counsel for upcoming legal cases.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Board of Aldermen for the Town of Jonesboro, which is open for the public to attend, will be held on Tuesday, August 13th at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special accommodations to attend, please contact Town Hall prior to the meeting to make special arrangement.