Houston Couny Approves $ 37.7 Million Dollar Budget for 2012 - 2013

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Sep 10 2012 11:36 AM

HOUSTON COUNTY:   Members of the Houston County Commission met this morning for their regular scheduled meeting.

The Commission issued a proclamation declaring “world Suicide Prevention Day”. Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death and very real in persons 15 to 24 years of age. Every 14.2 minutes someone commits suicide.

The Commission appointed Commissioner Melinda McClendon to the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens.

The Commission appointed Commissioner Curtis Harvey to The Downtown Group.

The Commission appointed Coroner Robert Byrd to fill an unexpired term on the Dothan – Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership.

The Commission approved the 2012/2013 budget for Houston County. Houston County Administrator Bill Dempsey made a presentation to the commission concerning the operating budget, the level funding and the cuts department heads have made.

Chairman Mark Culver said the new budget provides for the step pay increases of the work force. There will be no increase in health or dental premiums for the county or employee.

Chairman Culver said this budget calls for one additional person in the Probate Office. The budget calls for four additional dump trucks, one additional low boy, two sanitation truck, two trash trucks all in the Road and Bridge Department and Sanitation Department.

Chairman Culver said this budget calls for the paving of Billy Snell Road. The paving of the road for the new Medical College. Work on the new Library sites, re-paving the courthouse parking lot, and the work of the intersection located at Fortner Street and Brannon Stand Road.

Chairman Culver said the budget calls for the purchase of two new vehicles for the Sheriff Department. However Chairman Culver said the Sheriff Department will actually get a total of 5 new vehicles based on 3 coming from money in this years budget. The cars will probably not be purchased until next year but will be from funds in this years budget.

Chairman Culver said the Sheriff Department has gone two years without the purchase of new vehicles. Anytime you have a fleet of vehicles that is not good.

Chairman Culver said the Sheriff Department is purchasing a new camera system. Culver said the system is being purchased by funds the Sheriff receives on bail bond execution fees.

Chairman Culver said Sheriff Hughes had one position retire. The Sheriff has decided to replace with two part time positions which will save the county about $ 19,000.00.

Chairman Culver said in February the Revenue Commissioners Office will be required to conduct new aerial photography of the county. Chairman Culver said make sure your yards are clean in February.

In the county commission office a new phone system will be purchased for Houston County.

Chairman Culver said the new budget will be funding the Houston – Love Memorial Library $ 150,000.00.

All agencies are level funded according to Chairman Culver.

Chairman Culver said the county will deter a personnel study until next year. The commission desires a personnel study every 5 years.

The revenues for 2012 – 2013 for Houston County is projected to be $ 36.7 million dollars. The expenditures for Houston County will be $ 37.7 million dollars. Part of the expenditures overage revenue is due to the road project of Fortner Street and Brannon Stand Road being put off from this year until next year. This project is about $ 1.1 million dollars.

Culver and members of the Houston County Commission complimented the department heads for Houston County for their management of their offices.

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