COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Commission at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 10, adopted a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that is smaller but includes important personnel measures.

The Commission unanimously approved a budget for Fiscal Year 2019, which begins Oct. 1, that projects about $113.4 million in revenues (compared to $116.4 million for the current fiscal year) and $113.1 million in expenses ($116 million).

Though smaller than the current budget, the FY2019 budget includes merit raises for county employees and law enforcement officers totaling $410,000, retirement system pension contributions totaling $350,000 and health insurance expense increases totaling $375,000.

“There are over $1 million in new expenses that are part of being responsible to our employees,” Commission Lindsey Allison said.

The budget also includes three new positions: environmental services technician – landfill, operations assistant with COMPACT drug enforcement unit, and business analyst – IT services, public safety and behavioral health.

County Manager Alex Dudchock added that officials hope to see an increase in sales tax collection from online sales after recent legislation was enacted.

In other business, the Commission:

• Approved a holiday and payroll calendar for Fiscal Year 2019. The calendar includes July 5, a Friday after the Independence Day holiday, as an additional holiday benefit.
• Approved new rates and fees for Shelby County Water Services. Under the new rates, the retail minimum charge will increase each year from $21.52 in 2019 to $24.73 in 2023, and the retail usage charge per 1,000 gallons will increase from $4.31 in 2019 to $4.95 in 2023. Tap fees were also adjusted.
• Approved a request from Waste Pro Inc. for Consumer Price Increase of 2.47 percent. The price of Residential I service will increase from $11.92 to $12.25, and other levels of service will similarly increase.