By Sherri Blevins
DEKALB, CO. ALA- It is that time of year, when government agencies consider what to include in the 2024 fiscal year budget. Budgets are required to be approved by the end of September for most state agencies. The DeKalb County Commission received an update on the proposed budget during the August 8, 2023, DeKalb County Commission meeting.
County Administrator Sharp told the Commission that the 2024 budget is three percent higher than the 2023. The proposed budget includes a five percent total raise for County employees with a two percent cost-of-living adjustment and a three percent step increase adjustment. The proposed budget is $26.3 million, with approximately $9.5 million allocated for the Sheriff’s Department and $8.1 million for the Road Department. The budget excludes expected revenue from the fleet program and the ARPA grant.
Road Superintendent Tom Broyles said his department is continuing with patchwork and mowing, and reclaiming roads in District 1. The paving contractor has been working for about four weeks and plans to continue. He also said that construction of the buildings for Districts 3 and 4 has started. Broyles asked the Commission to declare three truck mount grate awls and one backhoe as surplus, and they granted his request. The items will be sold in the September auction.
The Commission approved the following requests:
- $72,089.72 bid to Lambert Construction for the Kilpatrick Storm Shelter
- $52,911.50 per unit bid to Donohoo for Road Department trucks
- $7,055.00 per unit bid to Knapheide for Road Department flatbed bodies
- $19,925.00 bid to J.C. Cheek for Districts 2 and 4 traffic stripe proposals
- FY2-24 County Transportation Plan (allocates $300,000 to each District and will be amended during the year)
- Transferring Heaven Traylor from the part-time dispatcher to full-time
- Transferring Troy Fugatt from deputy to courthouse security
- Transferring Justin Bailey from courthouse transport to deputy
- Promoting Zach Hatchett to Staff Sergeant
- Hiring Denton Farmer as a part-time courthouse security
- Hiring Dustin Fleming as a part-time deputy
- $160,000 for the Northeast Alabama Water Project (CR485) District 4
- $120,000 for the Mr. Moriah Water Tank Paint Project
- Nominations of Debra Pitts, Joseph Cosumano, and Michael Kean to the Board of Equalization as potential members
Commission President Harcrow announced that the 2023 Fall Cleanup Campaign will be on September 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, and 23. The Sand Valley Land Fill will have dumpsters available on these dates from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Harcrow stated that two DeKalb County Commission meetings will be held in September on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month (12, 26).
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