Budget Committee Allows Dip into Landfill Funds Despite Ongoing Deficit

Despite an on going audit finding in excess of $3 million dollars deficit for Landfill post closure costs, the Jefferson County Budget Committee recently approved the use of around $588,000. The monies are to be used for excavation and engineering services for a Class III Cell B Closure at the Jefferson County Landfill. The post closure costs have been a quandary for the landfill for several years, and they have recently begun the accumulation of cash to answer the deficit. Current cash on hand has reached $1.6 million dollars, but is still far short of the estimated $3.7 million that the state is expecting the County to have for post closure costs. With the subtraction of over a half of a million dollars from the cash account, that leaves the balance just over $1 million dollars. The motion to allow the expenditure was offered by Commissioner Dockery and found a 6-2 vote with Budget Chairman Scarlett and Commissioner Douglas voting no.

In other action, the Budget Committee passed four County Budget Amendments and two school budget amendments. The Jefferson County Budget Committee will have its first meeting of the fiscal year 2019/20 on March 25, 2019 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.