BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
25 MAY 2023
The Chair Commissioner Erin Curry opened the meeting asking Commissioner Matt Rubelsky to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 5 May 2023 were moved for approval by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, and were approved unanimously. The Chair thanked the Financial Management Director (FMD) Beth Moore-Sumners, and staff, for their work on the 2023-2024 Proposed Budget, provided to all commissioners as a handout. The FMD thanked Nancy Griffin for all her work on the budget and through her loyal and valued dedication to the county over her employment years. The FMD then discussed some of the overall information on the budget, i.e., a survey to determine the additional cost to the county for insurance options chosen by county employees ($177,516 for county employees with the highway employees computed separately and that being $31,771); growth of the “penny” income from taxes; new revenue sources (e.g., TISA for teachers); no increase to MoEs; state mandated raises for elected officials of 5% and with a previous county legislative approval, all department heads also receiving 5%; and planned receipt of funding for SROs (with school’s contribution still included in this budget).
General Purpose School Budget Line Item (LI) 141 – From the expected TISA an estimate of $4M to be put into teachers’ salaries, not so much raises as a restructuring of salaries. MoE was not increased. No final dollar guidance on funding for SROs is yet available. Commissioner Judy Pruett asked about LI for out of state tuition and the FMD said for an early agreement for some students that went to Ardmore, Alabama. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if the raises were in this budget (salary restructuring) and the FMD said yes. She further said that there would be a minimum of $5800 increase, and that the ending range of the “step raises” had been extended to 25 years which could amount to as much as a $11K raise. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the headings on the proposed budget, those being 22-23 Amended, Actual. The FMD said the audited column for 21-22 is the hard final audit; the Estimated Actual is a prediction using hard data for Jul – Mar and estimated for Apr-Jun (which she said is typically very close to actual when known); the amended budget is the approved original plus any approved amendments (would include grants). The Revenue if exceeds the MoE is collected and rolls into the School general fund, so only shows the Moe. Commissioner Baddour asked about an average number for the increase, perhaps 15% and the FMD cautioned about providing percentages because of expectations, and since the percentages would not be across the board with some being higher and some lower. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour to approve and with Commissioner Judy Pruett providing the second the motion was approved unanimously.
School Cafeteria Fund LI 143 – No county funds used for this LI. Commissioner Terry Jones moved for approval and with Commissioner Mathew Hopkins providing the second, the motion was approved unanimously.
Education Capital Projects LI 177 – This LI is for renovation projects and can only be spent for capital projects. Commissioner Evan Baddour moved for approval, and with Commissioner Terry Jones providing the second, the motion was approved unanimously. Commissioner Roger Reedy asked if it was necessary to keep this LI open, and the FMD said the school uses this LI to transfer the excess dollars form LI141. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins asked if those dollars could be pulled back once transferred and the FMD said no.
Education Capital Projects #2 LI 178 – This LI is for renovations. Commissioner Terry Jones moved for approval and with Commissioner Mathew Hopkins providing the second the motion was approved unanimously.
The Chair asked the attending School Superintendent if she had anything she wanted to add, and with nothing else, the Chair thanked all the school staff for their hard work.
Highway Fund LI 131 – The FMD stated this budget shows new revenue due to the county’s tax rate and the state aid grant. She also said it is the only budget where the other expenses are higher than day-to-day operations, which offers considerable flexibility to meet the highway department’s needs in capital equipment purchases. Commissioner Caleb Savage asked about the increase in the bridge program and Assistant Superintendent of Roads Steve Kelley said that would be a bridge on the Chapel Road. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones and seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made and was unanimously approved. Questions on the state aid road funding addressed whether any was out of county funding (no), and the FMD said the funds have to be used on state aid roads, however that frees up county funding that might have had to be used for those roads and can now be used for other type roads.
Probation Settlement Fund LI 128 – The FMD said that the county is still paying after the federal judgment and she was not sure how long the county would continue to have to pay so the amount may have to be amended. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins asked if we would ever see those funds again and the FMD said no. Commissioner Hopkins also asked who receives the funds with the FMD saying it is paid to a law firm. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour and seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones to approve was made and was approved unanimously.
Debt Service LI 151 – The FMD said on the balance of $480,765 that the amount remains for future debt. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Mathew was made and was approved unanimously.
General Capital Projects LI 171 – The FMD said this could be closed out but it is used for showing county grants. A motion to approve by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was unanimously approved.
Other Capital Projects LI 189 – The FMD said this LI includes the Communication project TACN with estimated ending balance of $515,354. A motion by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, to approve was made and was approved unanimously.
At this time, a short discussion on revenue was requested by the Chair. The FMD discussed the continuing loss of revenue after the Federal Judgment on probation since in times past the court fees were a lot higher, and county employees’ numbers have stayed the same. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins asked who sets the fines/fees and the FMD discussed the various fees, e.g., general legislative fees and reserve legislative fees. The FMD also discussed the interest rate on county held CDs which is currently being received at $40K per month, so the estimate of $360K for 2023-2024 may be too low. She also discussed the assessment value of property has shown growth with a potential of $290K increase in revenue. The FMD said the hotel/motel tax revenue could also bump up some with the Chair noting the short-term Bed & Breakfast revenue should be reviewed. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins asked about the lease agreement on the county building and the County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe said he had a reference to the lease ending in 2027 but another one for 2024, and that he would be getting a copy of that lease agreement. Commissioner Roger Reedy said that lease generates a lot of income, and an economic assessment should be done. The FMD then discussed fees in lieu of salaries for some of the departments with her saying those dollars in excess fees are turned over to the county’s general fund. Commissioner Hopkins asked about the general sessions audit numbers and the FMD said those are put together rather than individually broken out by organizations.
Local Health Center LI 55110 – The FMD said local government contributes $69,650 for operation of the building; Other Public Health and Welfare LI 55900 – shows the state portion paying for four people. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked about a previously approved renovation, and the FMD said that was paid from a different LI. A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made and was approved unanimously.
Other Social, Cultural and Rec (Archives) – The FMD noted there is one parttime added this year that will be paid from the Archive reserve funding. A motion by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made to approve, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, and was approved unanimously.
Accounting and Budgeting (Financial Management) – The FMD said this budget shows a decrease and includes 5 plus the FMD. The Chair noted this budget does not account for any raise, with Commissioner Shelly Goolsby noting some departments have included raises. The FMD said this budget still has step raises and the FMD as Department Head receives the 5% noted in earlier discussion. While the insurance increase to some of the county employees is huge, the FMD recommended doing a salary study on county employees. She mentioned some of the employees receive $22K per year which is considerably lower than many of the other counties’ employees. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, to approve was made and was approved unanimously.
County Commission – Commissioner Caleb Savage asked what is included in travel, and the Chair answered regional training for commissioners and Commissioner Roger Reedy also added for training at Henry Horton State Park. Commissioner Savage asked if the county was required to reimburse, with the FMD saying yes, it is required if expenses are submitted. The chair also mentioned there is on-line training as well, e.g., on MoE, and commissioners have to do continuing education. The Chair mentioned there was a conference going on now and no one is attending. The Highway Department is receiving an award as 1 of 9 counties recognized for a clean audit out of the 95 counties. Commissioner Roger Reedy said no body runs for commissioner for the dollars, but you do have expenses which may be incurred while you are attending the meetings, and he mentioned the benefits of attending the conferences, i.e., networking and/or proposed legislation with a no-fund mandate which could potentially be stopped. A motion to approve by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, was approved unanimously. A question from Commissioner Gayle Jones on the dues/membership line was answered by the FMD as CTAS services.
County Executive – Commissioner Mathew Hopkins asked if in today’s digital age, if the advertisements for meetings had to be published in the paper, especially when an earlier notice of possibly having no county paper was considered. The CE said that for now all have to be posted in newspapers, and without The Citizen, the notice would have to be published elsewhere, e.g., Ardmore Shopper or more expensively in The Tennessean. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the increase in the Secretary line, and the answer was a movement from one line (decreased) to the Secretary line (increased), with a zero net. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, was made to approve and was approved unanimously.
Agricultural Extension Service – The FMD said the county makes a contribution to University of Tennessee, i.e., 28% of salary/benefits as well as paying some operating expenses. An invoice from UT is provided quarterly. The FMD further stated that the invoice is not paid through the payroll process for the county. The office currently has 6 employees with a 7th starting on 1 June but no county contribution is required for that new hire, and there is also a summer intern paid by UT. A motion to approve by Commissioner Judy Pruett, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made and was approved unanimously.
Forest Service – The FMD said there has been a contract on this effort since around the 50s, and that the county does a contribution. A motion by Commissioner Gayle Jones to approve, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made and was approved unanimously.
Soil Conservation – The Chair said there are two full time employees paid by county, although they may have additional employees, and there is a $1000 raise included for each. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked about the services provided and Commissioner Roger Reedy gave information i.e., drainage ditches, incentive to do coverage crops where the environment would be damaged. The FMD said some of this is federal funded. A motion to approve by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Tim Risner commented that a previously provided booklet had been most helpful.
Veterans Service – The Chair noted this has one part time personnel and includes $1000 for office equipment, a new line. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made and was approved unanimously.
County Clerks Office – The FMD said salaries for some in this office were in the $20K range and a raise was included to bring those particular salaries to $30K. Additionally, one full time position had been added while decreasing some part time personnel, leaving the office staffed with 9 full time personnel and one part time, effective 1 July. Commissioner Caleb Savage asked if the positions were all filled (yes). A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made and was later approved unanimously. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins in noting postage was down, and was that accurate. Carol Wade, County Clerk, answered that in the previous year everybody got a new plate, and in this budget mostly handicapped are getting new plates. Additionally, she is working on a new mail service to help reduce the cost. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about mail orders and does that offset income with Ms. Wade saying there is a $5 postage fee added when ordered on line, paid to county. Commissioner Baddour in noting percentage of raises was told the average was moving from $27K to $30K. Commissioner Caleb Savage asked if the department could be run efficiently without the part time position, with the County Clerk saying with vacations, the part time is shown just in case needed for substitutions.
Courtroom Security – The FMD noted this included step increases and an increase from the insurance change, and was approved unanimously in the recent law enforcement meeting. There are currently four full time employees. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour to approve, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made and was approved unanimously.
Sheriff’s Department – Per the FMD the funding is not yet available for the addition of SROs and is not shown in this budget. When those funds are received the school will no longer reimburse the county for the two SROs they currently fund. A motion by Evan Baddour and seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made to approve and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the significant increase in deputy salary line and the FMD said they are budgeting for 14 deputies but a couple have left (for a state job with a more long-term growth possibility and one is getting out of law enforcement.)
Traffic Control and Adm of Sexual Offender Reg were moved for approval by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones and was approved unanimously. The traffic control is for the bypass lights and the register is technically a “wash” coming from a reserve account.
Jail – The FMD reminded all that three guard spaces had been taken out of the budget due to staffing shortages, and while not budgeted, the spaces remain as what a fully staffed organization would be. A motion to approve by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Caleb Savage mentioned the food supply line and is the increase due to inflation of food costs with the FMD saying strictly due to inflation even with a reduced number of inmates. The FMD said the staff had done due diligence in reducing costs where possible.
Drug Fund LI 122 – This fund is related to court fines, seizures and is restricted in use, per the FMD. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made and was approved unanimously.
Judicial Commissioners – Per the FMD these officials act on the judges’ behalf, with Commissioner Evan Baddour noting another name, Magistrates. A motion by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour to approve was made and was approved unanimously.
Juvenile Services – This line item has one officer and that person is now taking family insurance where did not previously. A motion by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour to approve was made and was approved unanimously.
Industrial Development (IDB) and Other Economic & Comm Development – For the IDB the city of Pulaski, the county and PES are contributors. A motion to approve by Commissioner Judy Pruett and seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously.
Airport – the FMD noted that the expenditures are for the county’s contribution to the airport. A motion to approve by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made and was approved unanimously.
Contributions to Other Agencies – The FMD noted this is for the E911 services and for the IDB and is only paid as they incur expenses. A motion to approve by Commissioner Judy Pruett, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made and was approved unanimously.
Other Charges (Dead Animal pickup) – At this time Commissioner Joseph Sutton sat in for Commissioner Evan Baddour who was temporarily unavailable. The FMD noted this line also includes building insurance, e.g., catastrophic. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins said he had a problem paying for dead animal pickup for only a few large organizations. Commissioner Roger Reedy discussed how in times past farmers might have no more than 30 per farm, and could get rid of diseased animals themselves. However now they are sold through the stockyard and many die while shipping. He noted that TN and Ky are the largest producers of stock animals and they take the death loss where before individuals would have. That the large organizations would have to pay for 85% of all the deaths. He further noted that agriculture is the largest producer of income in this county. The CE noted not just a benefit to large industry but there is an environmental impact to the county without the service. Commissioner David Adams said his constituents say don’t get rid of dead cow pickup or the convenience centers. A motion to approve by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was approved after a roll call vote with all members voting to approve except Commissioner Mathew Hopkins who voted no. The motion passed 6 – 1.
Chancery Court – With little change and a trimmed, decreased budget, a motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, and seconded by Commissioner David was made and was approved unanimously.
Circuit Court – noting one person had been removed to offset the insurance increase, a motion to approve by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made and was approved unanimously.
Election Commission – the Chair noted that Zena Dickey, Administrator of Elections, was unavailable and Ms. Cathy Bassham, former Administrator, was available for questions. A question on a maintenance fee of $13K was raised since there are to be new voting machines installed in the budget year. After some discussion by phone with Ms. Dickey, it was determined that the 334 sub LI could be cut by $11K, keeping only the copier maintenance. A question on elections in the budget year was raised with Ms. Bassham noting there will be a Presidential Primary in March but the state will reimburse. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and was approved unanimously.
Sanitation Management /Litter and Trash Collection/ Waste Pickup – A motion by Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made to approve and was approved with 6 approvals and one abstaining (Commissioner Terry Jones). Commissioner Goolsby asked why Phillip’s salary wasn’t as large as other department heads, with the Chair saying Ms. Phillip’s position is not an elected position.
Convenience Centers – a motion to approve by Commissioner David Adams and seconded by Commissioners Mathew Hopkins was made and the motion was approved by six members with Commissioner Terry Jones abstaining.
Register of Deeds – A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour and seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Baddour noted that elected official shows the 5% raise with all others mostly down.
County Attorney – A motion to approve by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby asked what the average rate for this area would be for attorneys and the CE said this rate is $220 per hour, which he considered a discounted rate for an attorney with at least 20 years’ experience. The FMD said this line is based on billable hours only. Commissioner David Adams asked does the county pay a retainer fee with the CE answering no, and the FMD said during her time there has never been a retainer fee paid. Commissioner Evan Baddour said with this being a government contract, there is no need to get an upfront retainer fee.
Planning (Regional planning) – Commissioner Judy Pruett asked if commissioners receive pay for attending the planning meetings and the answer is yes. A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour and seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously. A question by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby on why the funding to commissioners shows on this line with the FMD said for transparency of the planning commission.
County Trustee Office – This budget reflects reduced part time employment, an increase to full time deputy line, and small travel increase due to new Trustee. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made and was approved unanimously.
Property Assessors Office – This budget includes one step raise with total employees of 7 full time. A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously.
County Buildings – This budget shows increased salaries for custodial employees bringing those salaries closer to $30K and includes a step raise for maintenance personnel. Commissioner Evan Baddour stated this is more for upkeep than capital improvements with the FMD answering yes. If this has to be amended it will come from General or Fund Balance, she stated. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made and was approved unanimously.
Reappraisal Program – The FMD stated this is for the state audit. A motion to approve by Commissioner David Adams, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously. The term data processing was questioned by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins with the FMD saying that term varies. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked true we have to pay them to come and audit our county property with the FMD saying yes. She further said it includes some of the state software auditing.
Park and Fair Boards – It was noted that all utilities were up. A motion to approve by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made and was approved unanimously.
Employee Benefits – This line item is to show training that was grandfathered in, and includes some drug testing. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner David Adams, was made and was approved unanimously.
Rabies and Animal Control – The CE stated that the current Animal Control Officer, Morgan Sutton, has elected to move to a permanent law enforcement position, and her animal control position will be made into a civilian position. A question by Commissioner David Adams on the status of the approved building and fence with Deputy Sutton saying the start date is planned for June and would be done in this FY by SAIN. She currently has 2 PT with one working during the week and one (new) to work on the weekends. A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made and was approved unanimously. She asked that the committee consider funding $5K to the Humane Society for their transport of animals and that she could not do her mission without them. A motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Judy Pruett to approve a $5K to be a line item as contractual services to the Humane Society was made and was approved unanimously.
Other Public Safety – This line item funds a state agency and was questioned as to why it is county funded. A motion by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to remove this $1950 was made and was approved unanimously.
Other Emergency Management – The FMD stated this budget shows an increase to the Assistant Deputy Line but is not an increase to the salaries, with the movement of an individual from one position to another position. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if showing no anticipated overtime was realistic with the FMD stating by moving from one status to a different status, overtime is not approved for that type position. The movement of the secretary space was also questioned. Commissioner Gayle Jones moved that the position showing on line 189 be pulled from this budget and be voted as a separate item. There was considerable discussion on this item with some commissioners showing approval for the budget coming in under the previous budget even with this position, with others seeing it as adding a position to the county employment. The CE said the committee might look at it as what is not going to get done, and Director of Emergency Management Bill Myers gave a detailed description of the functions of the proposed space and the saving the county could expect, and he suggested the position was not an additional space but a reworking of an unfilled vacancy. The motion originally stated by Commissioner Gayle Jones to remove and vote separately on this line was seconded by Commissioner David Adams. The motion was approved 4 -3 with Commissioners David Adams, Mathew Hopkins, Gayle Jones, Judy Pruett voting yes and Commissioners Terry Jones, Evan Baddour, and Erin Curry voting no. The motion to move the line item from the budget was approved. Next a vote was taken on approving the 189 line with Commissioners Terry Jones, Evan Baddour, and Erin Curry voting yes, and Commissioners David Adams, Mathew Hopkins, Gayle Jones, and Judy Pruett voting no. Approval of the 189 line failed. A vote was then taken on the overall budget without the 189 line with Commissioner Gayle Jones making the motion to approve, and with Commissioner David Adams seconding the motion to approve the overall budget without the 189 line item. While the removal of the 189-line item had failed in this committee, the Chair said she intended to bring it back up in the next full legislative meeting, noting she considered this space important to the county and the efficiency of that organization. Questions were raised by Commissioner Judy Pruett on increasing this particular staffing and the associated funding when the building of a new school was of equal or more importance to the county. Some discussion over the MoE for the schools and their growing fund balance and the potential for a bond issue if a new school was determined necessary. Discussion continued over what happens in the full legislative body when a budget is amended positively after the budget has been identified in the public venue, meaning additional advertising would have to be done and the budget would not be approved timely. With that in mind, a motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, to put into the overtime line an amount of $47500 (equal to the position cost) was made, and if the motion to place the staffing back in is approved that amount will be moved to the salary line. If not approved the amount can be withdrawn (no impact on public notification if budget reduced). The motion passed with 6 -1 with Commissioner David Adams voting no.
The overall budget for Emergency Management was them approved by roll call with a 5-2 vote with Commissioner David Adams and Commissioner Mathew Hopkins voting no.
Coroner – with Commissioner Annelle Guthrie sitting in for Commissioner David Adams, a motion to approve by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones was made and was approved unanimously.
Ambulance Service – there are 38 positions in this budget, per the FMD. A motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, was made and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Caleb Savage asked about zero funding for Janitorial and was answered with there are several different shifts and they now do the cleanup and that the cost before was during COVID.
The chair moved to discussion of the Fund Balance, noting a couple of the non-profits/Charitable – Addressing the Fire and Rescue, the amount of $257110 which includes the city of Pulaski contribution of $10K as well. Page 23, Net Change in Fund Balance showed $-574,425. That includes the funding for the libraries and the Fire and Rescue. The chair noted with the potential $600K SRO grant, and resulting $132K stop, the number should be $169K to the good. A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made and was approved unanimously.
The Fire and Rescue showed the $267,110 which included $10K from the city of Pulaski. A motion to approve the corrected $257,110 by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Jones queried if this would be from the fund balance and the chair answered yes.
Libraries – a total of $168,660 for the libraries with the Giles Library being $161,766 of that total. Funding will be from the fund balance. A motion to approve by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made and was approved unanimously. The FMD mentioned all the libraries except the Campbellsville one operates under an MoE.
The chair discussed potential raises within the budget, e.g., custodians, County Clerks, soil conservation, otherwise county across the board – no raises. She recapped some of the changes done in today’s budget review, i.e., the $11k reduction in the election commission, $1950 removed from the high patrol, the $10K from the Fire and Rescue (city funded), increase of $100 to Campbellsville library. To provide a 2% raise to all county employees not otherwise budgeted for a raise would cost the county $192045. The budget estimate on interest was mentioned as being too low in income. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if the ones receiving additional support for family insurance would be considered, and the FMD said they should be. The FMD noted that those in her office and in the courthouse do not have budgeted raises, other than for step increases, and the Department Heads, and similar heads of county organizations receiving the 5% raise. Commissioner Mathew Hopkins said that the county needs to give the employees raises, but the problem is spending money the county does not have. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour and seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett was made to approve a 2% raise to all county employees not covered with raises in this budget, Department Heads and heads of organizations receiving the 5% raise. The FMD gave a recap of funds originally budgeted and/or amended this budget year and given how frugal the departments are, how much funds are rolled back into the fund balance. The FMD listed some of those amounts by department from the year before and approximately $2M was rolled back into the general fund that year, keeping in mind that included some of the grant funding which had specific use tied to that money. The FMD said she still recommended a salary schedule study noting it could be done inhouse. The motion above, for a 2% raise, was approved unanimously.
The Chair discussed the Tax rate stating it is the same as last year. A motion by Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made to approve and was approved unanimously. The FMD stated the total assessed property collection rate was changed from 96.5 to 97.5 for 2023-2024.
The FMD noted that in the next full commission the budget will be an actual Resolution document, rather than by each line item. A vote on the total 101 General Fund Budget based on a motion by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins was made and was approved unanimously.
A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Mathew Hopkins to adjourn was made and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Erin Curry, Commissioners: Terry Jones, David Adams, Mathew Hopkins, Gayle Jones, Evan Baddour and Judy Pruett Other Commissioners in attendance: Shelly Goolsby, Tracy Wilburn, Dr. James Lathrop, Matt Rubelsky, Joyce Woodard, Annelle Guthrie, Roger Reedy, Joseph Sutton, Tim Risner, Caleb Savage, Other: County Executive Graham Stowe, Financial Management Director Beth Moore-Sumners, Nancy Griffin, Shana Woodard, Department School Superintendent Dr. Vickie Beard, Department Heads or representatives and a members of the public
