Christian Fiscal Court on Tuesday morning approved first reading of a $43.5 million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
It includes a five-percent raise for county employees and money for renovations to the courthouse.
The budget committee that worked with Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam and Treasurer Walter Cummings to construct the spending plan was made up of magistrates Russ Guffey, Philip Peterson and John Bruce, with Guffey saying he believes the version that passed unanimously Tuesday is a good budget.
Squire Peterson believes it’s a fiscally responsible plan.
The budget now heads to the Department for Local Government for approval of form and classification and it will then likely be heard on second reading at the June 20 meeting.
In other action, magistrates agreed to act as the pass-through agency for a grant application that Judge Gilliam says would allow mountain biking enthusiasts to have a skills park at Pennyrile Forest State Park, where bikers from around the region already travel to throughout the year.
The Christian County Animal Shelter report showed 341 cats and dogs came into the facility last month and 291 found homes.
Paul Coleman of Woodbine Street spoke during public comments and asked the county to put up 25 mph speed limit signs and for extra patrols from the sheriff’s office to address what he believes are issues with crime in the neighborhood and in the area of the old Highland school.