Shelby County Commission presented with general fund forecast
On Monday, July 23, the Shelby County Commission meeting opened with the Commission adopting the Cost of Living Adjustment Compensation Action. It applies to all full-time employees, applicable elected officials and registrars. They will receive three percent of their annual rate of pay for the cost of living adjustment, based on their rate of pay as of Sept. 14, 2018.
The Commission also approved two bid awards. The first, for Advanced Asphalt Products, LLC and Midsouth Paving, was selected for plant mix and asphalt for highway projects. Second was a bid for chlorine. Only one bid was received and accepted.
The Commission voted yes for the County to enter into a Digital Information Cooperative Agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for establishing the 2018 computerized mapping project.
Two separate authorizations were passed regarding Clastran for fiscal year 2019. The first resolution was to reconcile the budget of $136,640. The second was to implement Clastran in Shelby County to meet the need for a public transportation program.
The commission voted for a 20 percent local match for operating, administration, capital expenses and purchase of transportation services for elderly and disabled transportation, and a 50 percent local match for operating expenses outside unincorporated areas of Shelby County.
County Manager Alex Dudchock gave an update on the Shelby County Courthouse project, saying it was still in the first stages of meetings, and discussions were progressing. Nothing has changed since the last meeting.
Shelby County Commission CFO Cheryl Naugher presented the commission with a general fund forecast with projections for fiscal year 2019, which starts Oct. 1, 2018.
Property tax was projected at a 3.25 percent increase and sales tax at 2.3 percent increase, with more coming from online retailers in the second semester of fiscal year 2019. The motor vehicle tax didn’t see an increase. Housing of federal inmates has a projected increase of $30,000 from 2018.
County engineer Randy Cole reported that Jesse Creek Mining will be granted permission to use portions of Shelby County Highways 260 and 270. They were using what the county attorney had previously drafted, the only difference was the length of the roadway. The two-year license agreement can be extended if the work is not completed.
There will be a public involvement meeting on Aug. 7 from 4-7 p.m. at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park to discuss the Cahaba Beach Road Project. The latest plans and alternatives will be on display and can be discussed.
Manager of Water Services Michael Cain reported that the first incident of a remote telemetry site being hit by lightning was located near the Alabaster and Pelham area.
The next meeting will be Aug. 13. At the Aug. 27 meeting, elected leaders will be able to talk to the commission.