Shelby County CFO gives six month budget review

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During the County Manager’s report at Monday's Shelby County Commission meeting, county CFO Cheryl Naugher gave a report on the six month budget review. There have been a lot of changes in the last 6 to 8 weeks and she and County Manager Chad Scroggins discuss it on a daily basis. 

Naugher went into detail about the budget. Here are some of the highlights:

  • 98% of real property tax has been collected and it had a 5.2% increase.
  • Motor vehicle taxes are pretty much right on target.
  • Sales use tax was up 5%, but she believes there will be more of a decline next month.
  • Rental tax is slightly behind, but building permits remain steady.
  • Interest has taken a significant hit this year, and is at $100,000 less the first six months of 2020.
  • Water services are over $1 million in revenue due to residential usage fees.  

“We’ve had a strong first six months,” Scroggins said. “But that doesn’t include April. The back half of the fiscal year between now and October 1 is where it will get really interesting.”

Starting next week, Scroggins said he and Naugher will meet with all the department heads and see what items are needed now and which ones can be deferred “to make sure next year's budget is very lean on expenditures because we don't know what revenues will look like,” he said. 

The commission approved a renewal of the Emergency Solutions Grant Program. SafeHouse, in conjunction with Family Connection and Shelby Emergency Assistance, can use these funds to help prevent homelessness and re-house those who are homeless, help meet operation costs and provide essential services. The commission will be responsible for ensuring the grant match will be provided for the drawdown of Emergency Solutions Grant funds. 

The Inverness license office will reopen on Monday, May 18. A new queuing process will start this week, where customers will get a number so they don’t have to stand in line. They will be notified when it is their turn by text or if they wait in their car, can tune into a radio station for information. There is still not a confirmed date for ALEA to open their operations to drivers license testing. 

In the County Engineer’s report, Randy Cole said they plan to do smaller road projects this year and use the money that was previously earmarked. 

“We will cut the whole thing back this year and are being conservative,” Cole said “We’ll have money there because we have good reserves.”

Resolutions were approved for three ALDOT projects. They include I-65 from the CR-52 overpass to the south end of the Cahaba Bridge; SR-139 from Bibb County Line to SR-25 in Wilton; and SR-25 from Bibb Co. line to CR-73. 

The highway department has been operating at reduced capacity, but starting Monday morning went back to full capacity and operating under new rules starting today. '

Shelby County has over 70% response to the 2020 census, which leads the state. The county will put out signs in communities that have a slower response rate to encourage them to complete. 

Other bids approved during the meeting include:

  • A bid was approved for Shelby County Water Services to vendor Paymentus to implement automated billing, payment and notifications services. With the current system being a bit outdated, this will make it easier for customers to make a payment online and they will also receive text reminders about their bill. 
  • Approval for restroom supply products from Budget Janitorial 
  • Phyllis Alldredge was appointed to the Shelby County Board of Equalization as the municipalities’ representative. 

The next commission meeting will be May 25 at 6 p.m. at the County Services Building in Columbiana.