Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Dallas County Commission unanimously approved the County’s budget for the 2021 fiscal year, which begins October 1 and will end Sept. 30, 2021, at Monday’s meeting.

According to Dallas County Administrator Barbara Harrell, the grand total of Dallas County’s budget for the 2021 fiscal year is $25.5. million, with $13.3 million in the general fund, 8.1 million allocated for the engineering/road department and $4.1 million for other funds.

Harrell said the estimated fund balance for the beginning of the fiscal year is $8,449,326.93, estimated revenues for the fiscal year are estimated to be $21,105,242, estimated expenditures are estimated to be $25,449,107 and excess revenue over, or under, expenditures are estimated to be $4,343,865.

According to Harrell, the estimated fund balance for the end of the fiscal year is $4,105,461.93.

Harrell said this year’s budget also includes a salary increase of 2 percent for all Dallas County employees and officials and a lump sum increase of $600 for all full-time employees and a lump sum increase of $200 for all part-time employees.

According to Harrell the total cost of these pay-raises to the County is roughly $305,168.

“This is the first time we’ve given our employees across the board a raise in a little while,” said Dallas County Commissioner Roy Moore. “If you work for the County, you know you’re one of the lowest payed people in this county, in this state. This county does everything that it can to make life better for the people that work for this county. I think we’re easing up to that point… This county is in great financial condition. This county can afford raises… I’m glad this county can afford to do it.”

Harrell was commended by the commission for her attention to detail in drafting this year’s budget.

“I would just like to that Barbara Harrell for the hard work, dedication and consistency,” said Commissioner Curtis Williams.