Budget Committee Votes for 2% Full Time County Employee Raises for 2013-2014
Budget Committee Chairman Roger Griffith
– Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Griffith. Absent from Roll Call were Committee Members Blevins, Dockery and Baxley. Upon a Motion from Committee Member Akard and 2nd from Committee Member Maples the Minutes were Approved.
Chairman Griffith and Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton presented a Calendar of Meetings and Deadlines for the 2013-2014 fiscal year budgeting session. Department Heads will turn in the first draft of their budgets by April 12, 2013. Capitol Projects and Debt Service Fund will be reviewed on April 23, 2013. Chairman Griffith stated that at that time the Committee can assess the number of pennies that will be needed to fund Debt Service. Upon a Motion from Committee Member Mills and 2nd from Akard the Committee Approved the Calendar for the Budget Process.
The Committee discussed Budget Assumptions that will be presented to Department Heads later this month. Department Heads will be requested to submit the same budget as was presented originally for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Any variances will require written explanation. Department Heads will have no staffing changes and any staff additions must be justified to the Budget Committee. Non profit funding will remain at the same level as the current fiscal year, however there is the possibility to redistribute funding if necessary.
Director Helton informed the Committee that his department anticipates rolling funds into the County Fund Balance. Mills stated that Department Heads should anticipate a slight increase in utilities (less than 2%). Chairman Griffith stated that it would be appropriate to give Department Heads direction in regards to employee raises. He said that he would like for the County to keep up with National inflation rates, which are currently around 2%, to keep the County employees even with inflation. Helton stated that, with the insurance increases and tax increases, some County employees are seeing less net income than before this fiscal year’s raise. Chairman Griffith stated that informing Department Heads up front about any employee raise would allow them to make adjustments in other parts of their budgets.
Committee Member Beeler made a Motion for no County pay raises in the 2013-2014 fiscal year- Motion died for lack of 2nd
Committee Member Akard made a Motion for a 2% salary increase for full time County employees with no increase to the total Department budgets from the 2012-2013 to the 2013-2014 fiscal year. (to be achieved by cuts in other areas of department budgets) 2nd Maples-Passed (does not include Department of Education Employees)
By Consent, the Committee Approved the proposed Budget Assumptions with the inclusion of Akard/Maples Motion (County raises).
Director Helton stated that there will be increased pressure on the School Budget due, in part, to the increase of operational costs associated with Mount Horeb Elementary School and the new Patriot Academy. He stated that sales tax is down and, though there was a significant jump in last year’s sales tax revenue, it is currently down around 3% which is a significant impact on revenue stream for schools. Helton stated that Fund Balance may have to be used to balance the School System budget.
Helton informed the Committee that there was an error in information presented on the Hospital Reserve Account in regard to the funding of the first request for the proposed Megasite ($442,311) and that the account will support the approved funding motion. He said that he does not expect any change in the worth of a penny and very little revenue change for the County. Helton stated that the School System may be impacted by the reduction in Grocery tax, should it be approved by the State Legislature. He stated that $513,645 in tax credit-bonds was designated by the Commission for payment of the E-911 combination center. The Meeting was Adjourned.
