Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Morgan County Commission adopted a $22 million general fund budget for FY2016 at its regular meeting September 22 but had to tap into its reserves to balance anticipated revenues and expenditures.

Commission Chairman Ray Long said $572,000 was moved from reserves to the general fund to create a balance, which is required by state law.

“We had to do this to meet one-time expenses, which include new computer software,” he pointed out.  “It will bring down reserves to about $1.3 million. “Next year we should be able to start building reserves up again.”

The budget is in line with the FY 2015 budget.

It does not have a cost of living increase or merit pay plan for employees. Long said the budget will be reviewed after six months and a merit raise could be implemented at that time.

“It’s a workable budget,” Long stated. “We were fortunate to have a reserve fund we could turn to for help.”

The county’s overall budget, which includes the road and bridge fund and capital expenditures, showed revenues totaling $46.5 million and expenditures reaching $46 million.

•Declared non-responsive the bids of Advance Jobs, Jani-King and Easy Step Solutions for failure to furnish a complete copy of the E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding as required in the general terms and conditions of the specifications for the Cleaning Contract at the Farm Services Building.

•Accepted a low bid of $1,485 per month from Ayers Cleaning Service to provide cleaning services at Farm Services Building, Two other bona fide bids were received.

•Extended a contract to Ayers Cleaning Service for the cleaning of Morgan County Courthouse for October 2015.

•Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement with the Town of Eva for police protection to be provided by the Morgan County Sheriff at an annual cost of $57,425.00, payable in 12 monthly installments of $4,785.42, effective Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

•Adopted a  resolution authorizing the chairman to execute an agreement between Health Connect America and Morgan County Juvenile Probation Office for service providing diagnostic assessments, outpatient services and any other task agreed upon by both parties for clients referred the Morgan County Juvenile Probation Office.

•Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement between the Morgan County Area Transportation System and Pope John Paul II Catholic High School to provide transportation services beginning on August 1, 2015, and continuing through May 31, 2016.

•Authorizing the Chairman to execute SSAI SCSEP Host Agency Agreement to provide participants referred by the sponsor agency employment under the conditions as stated in the agreement.

•Adopted resolution certifying that Morgan County Area Transportation System’s responsive services offered to individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, is equivalent to the level and quality of service offered to individuals without disabilities.

•Approving a refund of Deed Tax, recorded in error in the Morgan County Probate Office, for Peoples Bank of Alabama for $16.77.

•Approved $6,160.50 for Travelers representing legal services regarding the following claims filed against the Morgan County Commission: EYB7766 – Ransom and E3X8960 – Russell.

•Approved $486,559.48 for Lee Builders Inc. representing payment number #3 on jail annex construction project.

•Approved $2,392.99 for Tyler Technologies representing implementation services on new software

•Approved $60 for Peck-Glasgow Agency representing notary bond renewal for Belinda Ealey, chief administrative officer.

•Approved $70,792.75 for Adams Building Company representing invoice number #4 for the Lacey’s Spring Senior Center Project, District 4.

•Approved $1,676 for Nelson Engineering Associates representing professional services on the Lacey’s Spring Senior Center Project, District 4.

•Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement between TVA and Morgan County Commission for the development of a proposed recreational project on Highway 36 in the Woodall Bridge area in District 2

•Adopted a resolution to reclassify Nathan Calahan, environmental floater, to Grade 7, mechanic, effective October 5, 2015.

•Approved $41,401.92 for Etech Construction representing West Park project, payment number #7.

•Adopted a resolution eliminating the positions of lead license inspector and professional part-time sales for the Sales Tax Department.

•Adopted a resolution approving a grade 6 license inspector position for the Sales Tax Department

•Adopted a resolution authorizing an amendment to the job description for a license inspector position in the Sales Tax Department, effective Oct. 5, 2015.

•Approved $16,111 for Volkert Inc. representing program management services on the jail annex project, payment number #24.

•Approved $420,948.70 for Meadowbrook Insurance Group, payable to A.C.C.A.W.C.S.I.F., representing Workers’ Compensation Premium for period of Oct. 1, 2015, to Oct.1, 2016, payable out of the proper county funds.

•Adopted a resolution designating for FY2015/2016 all Morgan County banks as depositories for Greg Cain, Judge of Probate.

•Adopted a resolution authorizing the chairman to execute a contract with the Morgan County Emergency Management Communication District to provide dispatch services for the Morgan County Volunteer Fire Departments, for $1,994.31 per month for the period of Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

•Adopted a resolution to accept the bids and authorize the chairman to award purchase agreements to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting the specifications: MCED 2015-001, corrugated medal pipe, awarded to Contac Engineered Solutions; MCED 2015-003,liquid asphalt, awarded to Misdoubt Paving Inc and Wiregrass Construction Inc; MCED 2015-004, stone, awarded to Vulcan Materials, Blount Springs and Rogers Group; and MCED 2015-005, reinforced concrete pipe, awarded to Harvey Culvert Company Inc.

•Approved $160,985.95 to West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority for Pay Estimate #2 of the utility relocate on Kirby Bridge Road for bridge replacement

•Adopted resolution approving reimbursement for $11,400.for overpayment of SRMAC agreement number #9113 that was paid twice by TVA.

•Approved $4,081 for TTL Inc. representing professional services performed on the Morgan County jail annex.

•Approved excess proceed claims arising from Revenue Commissioner’s Tax Sale for the following: William Earl Kelly Rabb III and Rachel Amick Rabb, $24,660.71 and Daniel Hall, $31,421.78.

•Authorized $100 for the Hartselle High School baseball program from the Tourism, Recreation & Convention Fund.

•Approved $175,402 for Meadowbrook Insurance Group for commercial property and automobile coverage effective Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

• Authorized Amanda Scott, Revenue Commissioner, to sell a 2010 Dodge Nitroin in the Revenue Department, to the Appraisal Department at fair market value and use received funds toward purchase of a new vehicle to be purchased off State Bid, for (1) Ford Explorer, for the Revenue Department.

•Reclassified the following Morgan County positions, effective October 5, 2015: license inspector in the Sales Tax department, from grade 5 to grade 6; and mechanic for District, Sheriff and Environmental from grade 6 to grade 7.

•Authorized Johnny Howell, Environmental Services Director, to fill a vacant position for driver, grade 4 ($12.65 – $16.51).

•Approved $3,943.50 for Harris, Caddell & Shanks, P.C. representing professional services for Morgan County departments for August 2015.

•Approved budget amendments for various departments for September 2015.