Commission passes budget, shows support for two state amendments

In a special called meeting Sept. 30, the Franklin County Commission passed its annual budget for fiscal year 2022-20233, approximately $14,3777,282.60, divided as follows:

• General fund: $8,422,046.61
• Solid Waste Department: $2,684,170.82
• Highway Department: $3,271,065.17

The difference needed to balance this year’s budget will come from transfers from the Capital Improvements Fund; Public Buildings Fund; Public Highway and Traffic Fund; and fund balance brought forward from the previous fiscal year, according to the commission.

The budget includes a $1 raise for all county employees as well as any step raises due. It also includes a reclassification of the EMA director, assistant EMA director, maintenance supervisor and housekeeper/groundskeeper/custodian positions.

There will be a 6.4 percent increase in health insurance premiums that will be absorbed by the county in this budget, not passed along to employees.

The solid waste budget includes an increase in the price of disposing of inert garbage at the landfill to $25 per ton, which includes a $1 ADEM fee, and a minimum dumping fee of $10 at the landfill, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The county notes the budget is subject to be amended throughout the fiscal year.

The commission also approved a resolution expressing its support of Amendments 2 and 7 to the Alabama Constitution, which will promote broadband expansion and economic development, respectively.

The resolution states Amendment 2 “would authorize state and local governments to use certain public funds to incentivize broadband expansion, most notably in the rural and underserved areas of the state.”

The resolution further states Amendment 7 makes “several necessary technical changes to local governments’ economic development powers – the most important of which is clarifying that all counties may exercise these powers, regardless of whether they also have a local constitutional amendment pertaining to economic development.”

The next meetings of the Franklin County Commission are the work session Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting the following week Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m.