By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Commission unanimously approved its 2014 budget at a meeting Sept. 23.

The budget had no significant changes from the previous year’s budget, according to Shelby County Finance Manager Butch Burbage, who said general fund revenues were projected to be up slightly from about $55.8 million last year to $56.8 million this year.

According to the adopted budget, the commission anticipates non-earmarked general fund expenditures to be about $51.4 million compared to $55.1 million last year. Total expenditures equal almost $89.5 million compared to $97.5 million last year.

The Sheriff’s Office and jail budgets decreased slightly from last year. The sheriff’s total budgeted expenditures, which include the Shelby County Jail, Sheriff Training Center and the sub-station located at Heardmont Park, among other categories, total more than $19.5 million.

Also noted in the budget is a five percent increase in health premiums effective Jan. 1, as well as a one-time, $1,200 cost of living adjustment that will be given to full-time county employees during the month of October.

County Manager Alex Dudchock said he was proud of the commission adopting budgets “with appropriate sustainability in mind and accountability of all elected officials and non-elected department leadership.”

“We have not made it back to the pre-recession revenue levels,” Dudchock said.

In other business:

-The commission voted to pass a resolution approving a grant application that would assist in funding the salaries of deputies assigned to the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force. Through a grant provided by the Alabama Law Enforcement Planning Division, approximately $139,500 would be given to Shelby County to assist in funding the salaries of six sheriff’s office employees, with the county providing a 25 percent match, or about $46,500.

-WastePro will begin trash collection and recycling services Oct. 1. Anyone experiencing interrupted services prior to Oct. 1 should contact Roena Bearden at rbearden@shelbyal.com or by calling 669-3737.