Jefferson County Budget Committee

The Jefferson County Budget Committee met on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  The Meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Griffith. All Committee Members were present for Roll Call.  Upon a Motion from Committee Member Akard and 2^nd from Committee Member Baxley the Committee Approved the Minutes of the November 13, 2012 meeting.

Presented for consideration by Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton were County, Sanitation and School Budget Amendments. All were non fund balance impacting and involved line item transfers, by auditor direction or departmental request, and acceptance of grants.

Upon a Motion from Baxley and 2^nd from Committee Member Dockery the County General Fund Amendments were Approved. The Committee Approved Amendment requests from the Sanitation Department following a Motion from Akard and 2^nd from Committee Member Maples. School Budget Amendments for the General Purpose 141 were Approved upon a Motion from Dockery and 2^nd from Committee Member Carmichael. School Federal Purpose 142 Amendments were Approved upon a Motion from Baxley and a 2^nd from Committee Member Beeler.

The Building Inspection Department made a request for a new truck to replace one that is defunct. Director David Gaut stated that the cost to repair the vehicle’s transmission ($2500) exceeded the value of the vehicle ($1500). He offered 2 cost estimates for a stripped down work truck as a replacement for the broken down vehicle. The estimates were close in price, with the lowest being the government contract price of $22,438. Committee Member Blevins made a Motion to Approve the purchase of the vehicle at lowest cost  and was 2^nd by Carmichael. The request was Unanimously Approved.

EMS Director Brad Phillips brought a Capitol Project request that the County purchase 7 Power Load Systems and 5 Power Lift Cots to outfit front line ambulances. The purchase request was to help eliminate costly workman’s comp filings due to injury on the job, as well as provide service to all Jefferson County residents. The total cost of the request was $250,000. Committee Member Dockery made a Motion to Approve the request with funding coming in the amount of $225,000 from the Hospital Reserve Account and $25,000 coming from County General Fund. The Motion was 2^nd by Carmichael and Passed.

The Circuit Court Clerk Penny Murphy requested a line item transfer and approval to accept a grant of $4,000. Murphy informed the Committee that the grant acceptance was on a tight timetable or the funds would be lost. The grant will be in the form of reimbursement from government. Upon a Motion from Maples and a 2^nd from Blevins and Committee Member Cureton respectively, the Committee Approved both requests.

Jefferson County Sheriff McCoig requested approval to move $133,000 slotted for roofing and combine it with funds already slotted for plumbing to increase the amount allotted for plumbing repairs. Sheriff McCoig and Director Helton stated that the additional funds were necessary to adequately address plumbing needs. Committee Member Dockery made a motion to approve the request (which will total around $370,000) to address extensive plumbing needs with the combination of funds. 2^nd by Beeler and Passed.

Chairman Griffith informed the Committee that there will be a Called Meeting on January 28, 2013 to address initial funding requests by EDOC for site certification of the Megasite.

The Meeting was Adjourned.