By Ray King
The Jefferson County Quorum Court met remotely Monday because of the COVID-19 pandemic and good some good news from Treasurer Vonysha Goodwin.
The county ended the year with an overall balance of more than $20 million, almost $4 million more the ending balance in 2020.
County Judge Gerald Robinson said that with that balance, the county will be setting money aside in reserve funds.
Looking as some of the numbers, the County collected more than $108 million last year compared to $90 million in 2020, a difference of $17 and a quarter million. It spent nearly $98 million which was just over $15 million more than was spent in 2020.
The county’s legislative body approved legislation prohibiting loud noises and disturbances of the peace in the unincorporated areas of the county, and also approved legislation appropriating money from the American Rescue Plan for various purposes, including vaccine incentives.
Robinson also explained that he had closed the courthouse for the rest of the week because of employees testing positive for COVID-19. Other county buildings including the district court were also closed and Robinson said he will take another look at the situation either over the weekend or on Monday, which is a federal holiday. Currently, the buildings are set to reopen Tuesday.
He also said three road department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and a fourth is expected to so it might be necessary to shut that department down while the buildings are deep cleaned.
