Committee Sends Building 8 Back To School Board

The Jefferson County Budget Committee met on Monday, November 10, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

Chairman Scarlett Called the Meeting to Order. All members were present and the Minutes for the October 20, 2014 meeting were Approved with a Motion from Committee Member Musick and a 2nd from Committee Member Tucker. Upon a Motion from Committee Member Kesterson and 2nd from Musick the Committee Approved moving the start time for meetings to 5:30 pm, unless deemed unnecessary by the Chair.

Jefferson County Finance Director Helton brought several budget amendments for consideration. Tucker made a successful Motion to approve County side amendments that were in regard to funding the previously approved County employee side bonus and was 2nd by Committee Member Turner. General Fund 101 Amendment #2 (which included an $8,700 mandated payment to State Auditors for work associated with the Finance Office embezzlement issue) was Approved in an 8-2 split (Kesterson and Scarlett No) with a Motion from Turner and 2nd from Committee Member Solomon. General Fund 101 Amendment #5(refunds and reimbursements) was Unanimously Approved with a Motion from Kesterson and 2nd from Musick.

The Department of Education brought a request for funding for all School Department employees in a like manner as the County employees. Committee Member Beeler made a Motion to remove funding for teacher from the approved amount and was 2nd by Solomon. The motion was withdrawn after discussion on the committee’s inability to mandate to the Department of Education who would receive a bonus with approved funding. Musick offered the Motion to Approve as presented and was 2nd by Turner. The Motion Failed 7-3 with Musick, Turner and Seal voting Yes. Remaining School Budget Amendment General Purpose Schools 101 #4 that dealt with grants and accepting funds from the Jefferson County Fair, as well as line item transfers, was Approved with a Motion from Tucker and 2nd from Solomon.

The Department of Education made a request for $2,452,844 to renovate and restore Building 8 at Jefferson County High School. Director of Business Affairs for the Department of Education Phagan informed the Board that the current request would leave the renovation of Jefferson County High School short around $90,000. Beeler made a Motion to fund the requested amount from the sell of bonds and in conjunction with fund balance and was 2nd by Musick. The Motion Failed in a 5-5 split with Blevins, Tucker, Kesterson, Gaut and Scarlett voting No.

In other action, the Committee Approved a Federal Budget Amendment for the Department of Education with a Motion from Solomon and 2nd from Musick.