Putnam Budgets $5.8 Million For Capital Projects

The Putnam County Budget Committee approved on Monday a $5.8 million capital projects budget.

Committee Chairman Ben Rodgers said increased sales tax revenue allows the county to take on the projects next year.

“A big portion of sales tax goes to debt service, and right now our principal and interest payments are lower than our revenue,” Rodger said. “So we are actually putting money back into the fund balance in debt service so we take that money and put it to use elsewhere.”

The debt service fund will provide about $4.85 million for paying capital projects in 2019-2020. County Mayor Randy Porter estimates a $19.8 million price tag for capital projects over the next five years.

Principal and interest payments will rise once the county builds a new school and expands the current jail. Rodgers said the county should attempt to complete more capital projects before that occurs.

“If we can free up these capital projects within the next two or three years, we free up that money to pay for the principal and interest on the jail and school, which we know is coming” Rodgers said. “We don’t know when exactly we are going to do it, but we know we have to do it.”

School roof repairs amount for a majority of next year’s capital projects. The county will also be funding a new tanker truck for the fire department and an extrication vehicle for EMA.

The committee’s recommendation will be considered by the full county commission at a later date.