Pulaski County Quorum Court Taps Reserves to Cover Payroll After General Fund Falls $9.3 Million Short

Overview

• The Quorum Court unanimously voted Monday night to move money from emergency reserves, preventing a lapse in county paychecks.
• Treasurer Debra Buckner, in a Friday letter to County Judge Barry Hyde, reported a negative $9.3 million General Fund balance and said her office could not issue checks without an appropriation.
• Her letter pointed to about $51.5 million in the Emergency Reserve and $2.4 million in the Contingency Fund as the sources for the transfer.
• Following Monday's contentious session, Hyde said he will impose a hiring freeze Tuesday and seek an audit, and some county projects could pause to steady finances.
• County reports show a broader, three‑year shortfall of about $52 million as expenses outpaced revenue, signaling the need for longer‑term budget fixes beyond this stopgap.