Stafford releases statement on his participation in county budget process

Pulaski County new logoCloyd District Supervisor Chris Stafford on Friday released the following statement concerning his participation in budget discussions by the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors:

Throughout last year’s campaign for Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and during my time in office, I have pledged to the citizens of the Cloyd District that I would represent them with openness, honesty, and above all, integrity. In that spirit and as the Board of Supervisors is about to begin its budget process, I voluntarily sought an advisory opinion from Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Justin Griffith to provide guidance on my involvement as it relates to the 2023-2024 county budget.

I have been fully aware that my employment with Pulaski County Public Schools would affect my involvement in the upcoming budget process, as it relates to school funding, until my retirement from the school system which will be effective June 30, 2023.

Based on my analysis, and it also being fully consistent with Mr. Griffith’s advisory opinion, my role in the county’s 2023-2024 budget process shall be as follows:

  1. I will not participate in Board of Supervisors discussions and activities that solely involve school funding requests while I remain an employee of the school board.
  2. I will participate in Board of Supervisors budget discussions and activities involving all non-school budget related matters without exception.
  3. I will participate in Board of Supervisors discussions and activities involving school budget related matters when such discussions and activities also include at least two additional entities (or the overall county budget) and that I will make all required disclosures concerning my employment prior to each such discussion and/or activity.

If you have any questions or wish to receive a copy of Mr. Griffith’s advisory opinion, please contact me or the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Also, I wish to announce that in March and April 2023, I will be holding community meetings in the Cloyd District. The schedule with dates, times, and locations will be available soon. I look forward to meeting with citizens in person and discussing your ideas and concerns about the Cloyd District and Pulaski County.

If you have any questions or if I may assist you in any way, please contact me at cstafford@pulaskicounty.org or (540) 250-1407.