County OKs pay raises for employees, retirees with 2018 budget

Cullman Times (AL)

Sept. 29--Cullman County employees and retirees alike should be happy with the 2018 budget approved by the county commission Thursday, with each group getting raises.

The county signed off on the budget -- $21.5 million in the general fund and $54.2 million total -- that includes a 3.14 percent "step" for all departments and a one-time lump sum payment to 178 county retirees and beneficiaries. The lump sum payments, totaling $88,988, will be paid out in December in separate checks, said Judy Bradford, human resources director.

Overall, the budget represents a 2.6 percent increase over 2017's budget due primarily to the pay raises and higher health care costs, said County Administrator Gary Teichmiller.

Commissioner Garry Marchman noted the budget could be adjusted at any time throughout the fiscal year and routinely is. Chairman Kenneth Walker said the budget will be published on the county's website next week for review.

In an unrelated matter, the commission also approved a proposal to create a separate pay plan for the sheriff's office, carving the county's largest department out of its current pay plan. Bradford said the pay plan will be structured very similarly to the county's plan, with nine grades and 20 steps on each grade. Like the county, there will be a 12 percent increase between each grade.

"Law enforcement is a different type of job with different skills and responsibilities," Bradford said. "We've researched this with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama and other county sheriff's departments. We'll be working to put the current personnel into this new pay system."

Teichmiller added that putting law enforcement under a different pay system is become more commonplace across counties and municipalities.

In other business Thursday, the Cullman County Commission:

* Approved Sept. 12 meeting minutes, appropriations, expenditures, payroll, requisitions and all journal entries to be posted.

* Approved agreement with Alabama Department of Transportation ( ALDOT) relating to CARTS with partial funding by the Federal Transit Administration for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020.

* Authorized chairman to sign the North Alabama Highway Safety Office grant for the sheriff's office for FY 2018. The grant reimburses the county for sheriff's office personnel overtime pay.

* Granted American Proteins a sales tax abatement extension through Jan. 31, 2018. Walker said the weather has delayed progress on AP's expansion.

* Set public hearing for Nov. 14 to consider a petition to vacate County Road 121 signed by all of the abutting landowners.

* Set public hearing for Nov. 14 to consider request from the Industrial Development Board of the City of Cullman to vacate a portion of County Road 1601. The portion of roadway connects U.S. 278 to Royal Technologies.

* Authorized chairman to sign a resolution ratifying the merger between the Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Board, Inc., doing business as WellStone Behavioral Health, and the Cullman Area Mental Health Authority, Inc. County Attorney Chad Floyd said the merger will not impact local services.

* Authorized chairman to sign a renewal contract with HCC for stop loss employee health

* insurance with an annual premium $322,309, a 9 percent increase from last year.

* Approved $1,000 appropriation to the Future Foundation of Wallace State Community College's scholarship fund

* Approved request for $1,250 support for the Farm Y'all Festival.

* Approved generator maintenance contract with Richard Electric Co., Inc. for county's six department generators for $1,850 annually.

* Chairman Kenneth Walker reappointed James R. "Jimmy" Knight to the Duck River Reservoir Oversight Board for a 3-year term expiring 9-11-2020.

* Commissioner Kerry Watson appointed Brenda Scott to the Library Board of Trustees, replacing Dan Scott, for a 4-year term expiring 9-30-2021.

* Chairman Kenneth Walker appointed Wells Turner to the E-911 Board of Commissioners to fill the unexpired term of the late Steve Griffith with his term expiring 9-1-2019.

* Chairman Kenneth Walker reappointed Kenneth Nail to the E-911 Board of Commissioners for a 4-year term expiring 9-1-2021.

* Commissioner Kerry Watson reappointed J.L. Parker to the E-911 Board of Commissioners for a 4-year term expiring 9-1-2021.

* Approved final settlement payment to ALDOT for Clarkson Bridge Restoration project for $20,553.94, covered with funds set aside for the project.

* Approved plat for Long Branch Estates Subdivision, Phase 1, located in District 2 on County Road 71 for seven lots.

* Approved bond extension for Stillhouse Point Subdivision, located in District 2 off County Road 71.

* Extended bids for motor oil to Nagger Oil and Stewart Supply.

* Approved sheriff office's request for $18,000 reimbursement for emergency purchase of new domestic hot water storage tank.

* Approved the purchase of a trackhoe for the Water Department from HGAC Buy for $157,685 in budgeted funds.

* Approved the purchase of a Massey Ferguson sidearm tractor for the Road Department from ALDOT Surplus for $72,730 in budget funds.

* Approved $8,855 in repairs to the air conditioning system at the Cullman Caring for Kids facility (Public Office Building) by Alabama Electrical Contractors.

* Declared surplus from the sheriff's office the following vehicles: 2008 Dodge Charger to be donated to Good Hope Fire & Rescue and 2010 Dodge Charger to be donated to Town of South Vinemont.

* The Cullman County Commission will hold a work session 8:30 a.m. Oct. 17, followed by its meeting at 10 a.m.

* In other business Thursday, the Cullman County Commission: