No Budging By Budget Committee Regarding Non-Profits

Shelia Wiggins, Habitat For Humanity
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Budget Committee met in continuation of the budgeting process on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.  Chairman Griffith Called the Meeting to Order. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Dockery (Commissioner Tucker sitting in), Maples, Mills (Patterson sitting in) and Blevins.  Upon a Motion from Akard and 2nd from Carmichael, the Minutes from the April 14, 2014 meeting was Approved.

The Committee heard from Jefferson County Fire Departments, who returned with a funding proposal that was a combined effort of the County fire departments. Funding requests included maintaining a base $55,000 level of funding for all County fire departments as a bare minimum to continue service. Extensive information was provided that showed every department (with the exception of Parrotts Chapel which only had 6 month figures of $33,561) had operational expenses that exceeded the $55,000 mark, with some departments showing expenses well over the $55,000 contribution. Not included in the expenses listed were Personal Protective Equipment, safety equipment and capitol items, with the $55,000 only covering daily operational expenses. To address the issue of costs for departments that answer a large number of calls, the proposal included a $25 per call allocation that would come from a $100,000 set aside and would only be dispensed to in County calls. Should the $100,000 funding cap be reached, no further allocations would be made per call until the next funding year. Also requested were three sub stations-Swannsalvania, Strawberry Plains and Deep Springs- that would be funded at $25,000 per substation and would assist homeowners in these areas with their homeowner’s insurance rates, as well as provided complete County coverage. The Departments requested that $100,000 be put into a Capitol Improvement Fund that would be utilized by individual fire departments on a rotating basis and would require Full Commission Approval to utilize a large expenditure. Total request for funding, including $55,000 per department, is $825,000.

Proposal information will be addressed after Committee Members have time to see total budget numbers and availability of funds. With a Motion from Carmichael and 2nd from Beeler the Committee Approved bringing all Fire Departments to $55,000 level.

Dandridge Community Trust returned with more information, as was requested by the Committee. Upon a Motion from Baxley and 2nd from Akard, the Committee Approved (4-3 with Carmichael, Tucker, Cureton No) funding Non-Profit at the same level as last year ($537,544).

Jefferson County Finance Director Helton informed the Committee that there is expected to be no insurance increase for health insurance. Budget documents will be adjusted to reflect the level insurance, as they were prepared with increases included. Significant requests included holiday pay for Sheriff’s Department employees and mandated increases for some departments. The Finance Office will adjust numbers to reflect actual requested funding numbers. Highway Department, Sanitation and Department of Education numbers have not, yet, had a first review.