Calhoun County supervisors couldn’t come to a decision Monday morning on how much they will have to raise taxes for next fiscal year, but acknowledged an increase of some amount will be necessary.
A budget proposal placed before them Monday by Chancery Clerk Romona Tillman had a one mil increase. She explained that was necessary to account for the state mandated pay increases for court reporters and for the more than $80,000 shortfall in fine and fee revenue the county experienced this fiscal year.
That budget, with a one mil tax increase, does not include any of the additional requests from department heads such as a 3% pay increase for county employees, two additional full-time deputies for the sheriff’s department, a part-time worker in the justice court office, and a range of budget increases from Communicare, Soil and Conservation, Dixie Regional Library System, American Red Cross and more.
“I know everybody needs what they’re asking or they wouldn’t have asked, but we need someone to come with theories on what we can cut,” Board President Barney Wade said.
“I want to leave it just like it is,” Supervisor Gwin Longest said. “I don’t want to raise it. I promise you.”
“There’s too much uncertainty in the state budget,” Supervisor Ernest Fox said. “I feel like we’re going to get another cut. If the governor can take more of our money, he’s going to take it.”
“Everybody just passes the buck down to the counties,” Supervisor Jennifer Rogers said.
“To give everybody what they want, we can’t afford it,” Longest said.
Following a lengthy discussion, Wade estimated to meet half the requests would require at least a two mil increase and to meet them all would be closer to four mils.
Clerk Tillman offered to go over the budget line by line if the board desired to find potential areas to cut. The board ultimately agreed to recess until Tuesday, Aug. 23 when they will make a final decision.
The lack of needed funds was also the issue with the county’s biggest road improvement contract of the term.
The board learned at its last meeting that the bids for the estimated $1.2 million State Aid project to level and seal roads in every district came in more than $400,000 over budget and beyond the 10% negotiation mark.
County Engineer Chodie Myers said he got an Attorney General’s opinion that clearly stated the county could not cut back the project as bid to get it within the money due to it being beyond the 10% threshold.
Supervisors had inquired about doing the work themselves to save money, but Myers warned that would be difficult.
“I don’t think (the state) will let you do it,” Myers said. “It would tie you up for four or five months. It would be hard to keep up with everything else you have to do and complete this big a project.”
“I don’t want to do it myself,” Supervisor Tony Morgan said. “I want somebody that knows what they’re doing.”
Myers said the only option at this point seemed to be to cut the scope of work down and re-advertise.
“Someone will have to give up a road, basically,” Myers told the board. “The material costs are just so high. I don’t have any magic solution. There is no more money. I know the governor is pretty tight on our money right now.”
The board asked Myers if he could recommend what road should come out of the project.
“That’s a board decision,” Myers said. “I know all are needed. We’ve got roads all over the county that need work. But you can only spend how much money you’ve got.”
“We’re limited in the amount of work we can do severely. Every project we have now is limited by the cost of materials,” Myers said.
The board decided to continue studying options and took no action.
Circuit Clerk Carlton Baker and Election Commissioner Robert Easley informed the board they needed to decide on a new voting precinct for Vardaman. Voting has previously taken place at the fire department building across from the post office, but the fire department has moved into the new municipal complex on Main Street.
Easley said the two choices would be to go inside the complex into the future town board room or to the Front Porch facility, also on Main Street.
He explained both would require some work to get them ready and the Front Porch would likely require more because a handicap accessible ramp needs to be installed.
“The space at the Front Porch is definitely better,” Easley said.
Supervisor Tony Morgan agreed and said he’d rather “go on and spend the money now” rather than possibly having to move the precinct there later.
“I need time to notify voters of the precinct change,” Baker said. “We have some time, but we need to decide something soon.”
The board tabled the matter so they could go see exactly how much work would be required at each potential location.
In other news, the board heard two more budget requests.
Sandra Lee with Soil Conservation presented their budget proposal seeking a $5,000 increase over last year for a storage facility, trailer for a hog trap and educational programs.
Dr. Sandy Rogers with Communicare presented their annual report saying they served more than 500 county residents last year, noting their work with the school district and local law enforcement agencies.
Dr. Rogers said the county contributes $25,000 annually while the Calhoun office has a payroll in excess of $400,000.
“That’s not a bad return on your investment,” she said.
Other items approved by the board:
•Emergency repair to Tiger Boom Mower in district four.
•Data system contract for chancery clerk office.
•School bus turnaround at 141 CR 460.
•Rick Ferrall with MaxxSouth informed the board they need to get a new franchise agreement with the county approved. He said the existing agreement expired more than a year ago. Attorney Sonny Clanton said he would review the previous agreement before the board takes any action.
•Dispatchers to attend an active shooter class.