Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Craighead County Quorum Court on Monday saw a presentation of the proposed 2027 county operating budget.

The 2027 budget totals $60,665,743.73, while the 2026 budget was $59,808,690.70. This represents about a 1.4% increase from 2026, according to county judge Marvin Day.

With the exception of three employees who Day said were “above the maximum range of their salaries,” all county employees will receive a 4% raise in 2027. Health insurance premiums also increased by 4%, he said.

Other changes include a request for a county public information officer. Day said this person would handle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the bulk of which are directed toward the county judge’s and sheriff’s offices. In addition to handling those requests, Day said the position would also be responsible for writing county press releases, handling social media, and more.

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Day said the amount budgeted for the sheriff’s office had increased, in part due to rising fuel costs, but also due to the recent STEP pay program the quorum court approved in late October, designed to retain experienced deputies. For 2027, the sheriff’s office has $5,858.658.34 budgeted, compared to 2026’s $5,389,072.58.

The amounts budgeted for the county clerk’s, and assessor’s office decreased, Day said. Since 2027 is not an election year, there is no need for the county clerk to send out mailers, and since property tax reappraisal was completed in 2026, that will not be conducted for another four years, reducing costs for both offices, he said.

The county is also looking to purchase iPads to display agendas and related documents for quorum court members, decreasing printing costs.

The county’s information technology department has also requested the purchase of a new car, with Day describing the current car as “worn out.” In addition, the Craighead County Detention Center (CCDC) has requested two riding mowers, and a new part-time position has been added to the Craighead County Office of Emergency Management.

The prosecutor’s office requested a software package that Day said was around $80,000. The software allows prosecutor’s office staff to integrate cases from multiple counties or courts into one platform.

On the revenue side of the budget, Day said the county will no longer be receiving reimbursement from CCDC inmates making calls. The county is also expected to contribute about $125,000 for E911 expenses.

The budget ordinance will be considered again at the quorum court’s next meeting, set for Monday, Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. The full proposed budget can be read here.

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