Scarlett Elected To Chair Budget Committee

The Jefferson County Budget Committee met for their first voting session of the newly seated Committee on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

The meeting was Called to Order by Commission Vice-Chairman Kesterson. All committee members were present for Roll Call. In the first order of business, Acting Chairman Kesterson opened the floor for nomination for Chairman. Committee Member David Seal nominated Committee Member John Neal Scarlett and Committee Member Musick nominated Committee Member Turner. Nominations were closed and the Committee elected Scarlett as Chair with a 6-4 margin (Gaut, Seal, Scarlett, Blevins, Tucker and Kesterson). Chairman Scarlett then opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairman. Committee Member Tucker nominated Kesterson and Committee Member Solomon nominated Turner. Kesterson was elected as Vice Chair with a 6-4 vote (Gaut, Scarlett, Seal, Blevins, Tucker and Kesterson). Following discussion, Committee Member Gaut will assist Director of Finance Helton in taking the minutes of the meeting.

Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri requested a bonus for the County employees that would be a one time payment that would be distributed in November, in time for the Holidays. The Mayor stated that the Finance Department had figured the bonus on a flat 5% of salary for full time employees. Elected Officials would not be included in the bonus. At 5% the cost to the County, including the associated benefits, would be around $613,962 for 314 full time employees. The amount of bonus would vary from employee to employee, depending on their salary. Palmieri stated that this was simply a working amount and could be adjusted if the committee desired, however he stated that he would like to do something for the employees, as they did not receive a cost of living raise during the current fiscal year. The figures did not include any school system employees but did include E911 employees. Finance Director Helton informed the Committee that the County has 135 part time employees. Following discussion, Turner made a Motion to postpone indefinitely allowing time for other figures to be brought back and received a proper 2nd. His Motion Passed 7-3.

Director Helton brought 2 revenue neutral budget amendments for the County side and 2 amendments that impacted fund balance. He also brought 2 revenue neutral amendments for the Schools. With a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Turner the Committee Approved the amendment #4 on General Fund 101 and Hospital Fund 128 #1, items 1 and 2. Schools Federal budget amendment 142 #3 items 1, 2, 3, and 4 were Approved with a Motion from Turner and 2nd from Solomon. Due to time constraints, the Budget Committee recessed until after the County Commission Work Session.

Following reconvening, the Committee addressed the remaining amendments. Amendment #1 items 1 and 2 from General Fund 101, dealing with property taxes from the sale of the Rainwater Building ( $2,001) and increases in surety bonds for County officials ( $7547) were Approved with a Motion from Gaut and 2nd from Blevins ( Musick, Beeler No). A transfer from the Sanitation Fund balance in the amount of $361,000 was Approved (Fund 116 Amendment #1) for the purchase of a front loader truck, upon a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Blevins (Musick No). Committee Member Tucker made a successful Motion to Approve an Amendment (Fund 141 Amendment #3) in the amount of $87,178.81 to Other Contracted Services from incoming revenue in the form of insurance recovery for funds already used for Building 8. He was 2nd by Committee Member Turner and the Motion Passed with a 7-1 vote. A lengthy discussion preceded the last amendment of the evening, which was a request from Courthouse employees and Elected Officials to upgrade security in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The request came on the heels of an incident at the Courthouse and a separate incident at the Department of Education. Some Committee Members expressed concern that a lone officer would be unable to handle multiple locations and requested a comprehensive plan for multiple sites. With a Motion from Scarlett ( Kesterson sitting in as chair) and 2nd from Blevins the request for funds ($26,903) to place security personnel at the Jefferson County Courthouse was postponed indefinitely until a full plan and associated costs are brought back before the Committee. The Motion was Approved with a 5-3 vote (Kesterson, Beeler and Musick No-Turner and Solomon did not return following recess). The Budget Committee will meet before the County Commission Voting Meeting on Monday to discuss other items.