Budget Committee Reasserts No Increases For Department Budgets

The Jefferson County Budget Committee held a Regular Voting Meeting on Monday, April 14, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

The meeting was Called to Order by Budget Committee Chairman Griffith. Absent from Roll Call were Committee Members Dockery and Mills. Upon a Motion from Akard and 2nd from Blevins, the Committee Approved the Minutes of the March 31st meeting.

No citizens appeared before the Committee. Director of Jefferson County Finance Helton presented four budget amendments for consideration. County General Fund 101 Budget Amendment #7, which included line item transfers and a $30,000 contribution (previously approved and budgeted for) to TN Achieves, was Approved with a Motion from Committee Member Carmichael and 2nd from Committee Member Akard. A Sanitation Fund request was brought for a refund and return to a line item and was Approved with a Motion from Committee Member Baxley and 2nd from Committee Member Maples. Helton also brought a Jefferson County Schools General Purpose Fund 141, Budget Amendment #10, which included funds previously approved to purchase the triple wide modular unit at the Alternative School and several line item transfers, and, upon a Motion from Akard and 2nd from Carmichael, it was Approved. The Committee also Approved an amendment for insurance recovery and retirement funds transfer for cafeteria personnel with a Motion from Maples and 2nd from Akard.

Under Other Business, Helton presented information on back mixed drink taxes and a letter written to the Mayors of Dandridge and Baneberry from Director of Jefferson County Schools Edmonds concerning back mixed drink taxes owed to the School System. Helton also informed the Committee that there was a typo in the federal purpose budget that was noted in the minutes and it required no action. He also stated that the bonds associated with the nursing home and other funds that were previously approved by the full Commission were sold and the saving appears to be slightly better than expected.

Committee Chairman Griffith requested that departments submit last year’s budget and request any additional funds separately, as the Budget Committee had determined that departmental budgets should come in the same as last year.