Agencies seek additional $46K
Published 3:00 am Wednesday, September 24, 2014
When the Pike County Commission meets Sept. 29 to vote on the FY 2014-2015 budget, the commissioners will have to come to an agreement how to fund organizations’ requests.
Each year, the commission allocates $150,000 from a sales tax fund in support of a variety of community agencies and organizations. This year, however, an additional $46,000 in funding has been requested, and the commission must decide if it will honor those requests through general fund revenues.
The commission tabled its budget approval process on Monday, citing these requests and other issues. At that meeting, Commissioner Joey Jackson said the funding has to stop somewhere and expressed concern about taking an additional $46,000 from the general fund to honor the additional requests.
Harry Sanders, county administrator, said the following agencies have requested appropriations from the County that are not included in special fund appropriations. “In some cases, the agency is already receiving an appropriation from the sales tax fund and this request is beyond that amount and would come from the county’s general fund,” Sanders said.
The agencies that receive appropriations from the sales tax fund and are making additional requests are Pike County Soil and Water (USDA) $10,000; RSVP, $2,500; Pike County Extension, $17,500; and Pike Area Boys and Girls Club, $10,000. Agencies making requests that are not already receiving an appropriation from the Sales Tax Fund are the Meeksville Volunteer Fire Department, $2,000; Cancer Welfare, $3,000; and Wiregrass RC&D, $1,000.
The prepared FY 2014-2015 budget includes 21 local agencies that provide services throughout the county.
Agencies included in the prepared budget are: USDA/Soil and Water, $10,000; East Central Mental Heath, $10,000; Brundidge Nutrition Center, $5,000; Goshen Nutrition Center, $5,000; Troy Nutrition Center, $5,000; Organized Community Action Program $10,000; Pike Library Cooperative, $5,000; Pike County Chamber of Commerce, $10,000; Pike County Economic Development Corporation, $25,000; Pike County Extension Office, $10,000; Pike Regional Advocacy Center, $10,000, Pike County Humane Society/Pike Animal Shelter, $5,500 with $500 designated for the spay and neuter program; Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center, $10,000; Colley Senior Complex, $5,000; Pioneer Museum of Alabama, $3,000; Troy Arts Council, $2,000; Brundidge Historical Society, $2,000; Pike County RSVP, $2,500; Pike County Area Boys and Girls Club, $8,500; and Montgomery Area Food Bank, $1,500.
The total appropriation is $150,000 with monthly appropriations at $12,500. Sanders said other items expected to be considered at Monday night’s meeting are the liability and property insurance contracts for the coming year. “The Association of County Commissions of Alabama had a liability proposal but didn’t have a property proposal,” Sanders said. “My understanding is they will come back with a property proposal at Monday’s meeting. The Witherington Insurance Group of Troy presented a proposal for both liability and property insurance. The ACCA and Witherington Insurance Group should have complete proposals as part of the review.”
Sanders said additional information will be reviewed for the software packages contracted for the offices of the Pike County Revenue Commissioner and the Probate Judge.