County Commission changes budgeting techniques

By Scott Mims (Contact) | Clanton Advertiser

Published Tuesday, October 7, 2008

When the Chilton County Commission sat down to work on the 2008-09 budget, they considered the worst-case scenario.

Commission Administrator Vanessa Hendrick said the $14.1 million budget originally made no provision for a revenue increase, although up to a 5-percent projected increase would have been permissible.

“After everybody’s budget was done, we were a little short,” she said. “We allowed for a 1-percent revenue increase. Hopefully, we’re going to get more but we’re expecting the worst.”

Because of a new state law that raises accountability for county department heads, budgeting was done a bit differently this year. Instead of department heads simply requesting what they would need and the commission borrowing money at the end of the year, everyone tried to meet in the middle with an understanding of what the budget’s limits would be.

Cuts were made to nearly every appropriation based on percentages of past years. This did not end department heads’ right to come before the commission asking for additional funding; it simply was a conservative way of budgeting.

“Last year we had a spending budget, and we just borrowed the money at the end of the year,” Commission chairman Allen Caton said. “That’s a terrible way to do things.”

Both Hendrick and Caton addressed community members during a luncheon sponsored by the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce yesterday. A copy of the budget were passed around to the audience.

Unlike the budgets of previous years, Caton pointed out the new budget is bound and organized by index tabs, making it easier to read and understand. This county budget was the first during Hendrick’s tenure as administrator, and the county also hired a new accountant in Janice Hull.

“We’re very fortunate for having both of them work for our county,” Caton said.

Hendrick outlined several items in the budget that are earmarked for certain purposes. These included:

• 911 surcharges off telephone service, which fund E-911

• Trade school funds, which go toward rural and industrial development

• 7-cent gas tax, earmarked for the Road Department

• Building, road and bridge fund, used for maintenance

• Public highway tag and license fees, earmarked for the Sheriff’s Department

• Restoration, repair and rehabilitation fund, earmarked for roads

• 5-cent gas tax, earmarked for the Road Department

• Severance tax, which pays for damaged roads around mining sites and can be used for road repair and equipment repair.

The budget will be included in the commission’s minutes later this month. The minutes are available for viewing on the county Web site, www.chiltoncounty.org.

– Scott Mims can be reached at scott.mims@clantonadvertiser.com.