County commission recognizes retiring CFO

There was an official resolution before the Shelby County Commission to recognize retiring Chief Financial Officer Butch Burbage, but Commissioner Lindsay Allison had her own declaration.

“I so move as stated that we love Butch Burbage and we’re sorry he’s going,” Allison said during the commission’s May 29 meeting. The meeting and resolution followed a retirement party for Burbage, whose last day will be Thursday, May 31.

“And under discussion, I completely agree,” said Commission Chairman Jon Parker.

Burbage has worked as CFO for the county for 22 years.

“It has been an honor. It really has,” Burbage said.

In the resolution, which was unanimously passed by the commission and followed by a standing ovation, Burbage’s dedication to the county, as well as several boards and organizations within the county, were recognized.

His retirement marks not only 22 years with the county, but about 50 years of working on and off, Burbage said, starting at the age of 16.

“Fifty years is what it’s been, and that would be enough for anyone,” Burbage said, noting that County Attorney Butch Ellis was an exception to that rules.

Burbage said he was thankful for the chance to work with County Manager Alex Dudchock and Ellis.

“Both have served, especially Butch Ellis, as very good mentors and confidants,” Burbage said. The work of the three of them, Burbage said he liked to believe, is part of what helped the county reach its current state. The county commission and its willingness to listen to the guidance of Dudchock and himself also helped the county succeed, he added.

“Kudos to the commission to keep a conservative attitude to this thing,” Burbage said.

The main discussion item on Tuesday’s agenda was also fitting for Burbage’s last meeting, as it looked at the county’s finances in the first six months of Fiscal Year 2018.

Cheryl Naugher, who will take over as CFO following Burbage’s retirement, said overall the county’s revenue projections were “spot on.”

Sales and use taxes were up 5 percent from last year, she said, and general fund revenues from non-county and federal inmates were also up.

“The Sheriff made a commitment to house fed inmates, and that is up significantly over the same time last year,” Naugher said, noting an increase of about $267,915.

Places where actual revenues fell short of budget projections, she continued, were typically by slim margins or due to money coming in after the six month mark.

Looking at the last five years, the county saw revenue increases in four years — 2014 was the last year that saw a dip, according to numbers provided by Naugher. The total increase is about 4.7 percent, she said, which is positive, but potential dips are something of which she warned the commission to continue to be mindful.

The state of proprietary funds revenues, including water services, the Talladega/Shelby Water Treatment Plant and environmental services were also in good shape, said Edward Carter, controller for financial services.

“[Actual versus budgeted revenues are] Pretty good. Maybe not spot on like Butch’s, but we’re pretty close,” Carter said.

Also at the meeting, the commission:

• Heard from Alison Boyd, a candidate for Shelby County Probate Judge.
• Approved the minutes from the May 14 meeting.
• Approved an alcoholic beverage license for the Piggly Wiggly set to open off of Dunnavant Valley Road.
• Heard from County Engineer Randy Cole, who notified that storms led to several downed trees. “This is the most complaints we’ve had for trees going down since the tornado outbreak in 2011,” he said, adding that while they were able to cut the trees out of the roadway, it would probably be a few days before they are able to remove all of the trees.