BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
12 JANUARY 2024
Chairman Erin Curry opened the meeting asking for a motion on the 11 December 2023 minutes. Commissioner Gayle Jones moved for approval and with Commissioner Evan Baddour providing the second the minutes were approved unanimously.
The school amendments addressed in the previous same day meeting were moved for approval and grouped together by Commissioner Judy Pruett, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour and were approved unanimously.
The Amendments for the copier and the CTE grants were moved for approval and grouped together by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, and seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and were approved unanimously.
The motion to approve proceeding with an $8.7M bond resolution was made by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett, and was approved after the following discussion by a vote of 6 – 1 with Commissioner Mathew Hopkins voting no. While a lot of questions on the bond had been brought up in the previous school meeting, the bond particulars would be better addressed in the February Commission meeting, per the County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe. Financial Manager Beth Moore-Sumners asked the Brindley representatives (the GMP company) do they have a list of equipment requiring long lead times. Bryan Brindley stated they had talked to all subs on the long lead items, and a rough estimate of $3M, but with no need for the $3M at this time. He further said he could relate to the subs the “good faith” of the budget committee in pursuing the bond.
Gen Fund Amendment 101 The amendment addresses time keeping, ambulance movement within their approved budget, and an increase to a previously funded grant. Commissioner Evan Baddour moved for approval, and with Commissioner Judy Prutt providing the second the amendment was approved unanimously.
Old Business/New Business – County Trustee Tony Risner addressed an issue of $535 that predated his term. He stated he had tried to remove unauthorized charges to the Trustee account that occurred in June 2022. He had worked through several involved parties, including the county attorney, to no solution. He asked for a write off of the authorized charge. A motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins to approve the write off and forward to the full Commission for approval. Motion approved unanimously.
Commissioner Gayle Jones asked information on year-end funding returned by the county departments, with the Financial Director said that would include some grants. The CE stated that is valuable information but commissioners should be wary of impulsive budgetary responses that would yield unintended consequences.
A motion by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins to adjourn was made and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Erin Curry, Commissioners: Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins , Gayle Jones, Evan Baddour and Judy Pruett Other Commissioners Shelly Goolsby, Matt rubelsky, Joseph Sutton, Joseph Sutton, Rose Brown, Brad butler, Tracy Wilburn, David Wamble, Joyce Woodard, Dr. James Lathrop, Roger Reedy, Tim Risner Other Attendees: County Executive Graham Stowe, Financial Management Director Beth Moore-Sumners, and Shanna Woodard, School Superintendent Dr. Vicki Beard, Assistant Director of Schools Tommy Hunter, Bridgeforth Middle School Principal Lori Herd, School Board Chairman Knox Vanderpool, Trustee Tony Risner Public: Ronnie Brindley, Bryan Brindley,
