Hawkins County budget committee continues to work on budget

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Members of the Hawkins County budget committee met Monday to continue working on the 2024-2025 budget.

Last week, the county commission postponed approving the budget amid concerns about raising property taxes.

At Monday’s meeting, commissioners made some cuts, including cutting 15% from most departments’ travel and office supplies budgets. They also reduced the proposed tax increase from 34 cents to around 21-22 cents, according to committee chairman Jason Roach.

Sheriff Ronnie Lawson expressed concern about losing deputies. According to the sheriff, his department is down 11 positions and continues to lose employees to higher-paying departments and industries.

“On the old pay scale, our deputies were going to be funded at $17.12 an hour,” Roach said. “Now we’re looking at funding them at $21.12 an hour. So and then there’s a 3% step increase from there.”

The next budget committee meeting is scheduled for July 15. The county commission will meet on July 22.

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