By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Commission passed a budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year during the Sept. 26 meeting.

The total budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year is set at about $80.5 million, a drop from last year’s budget of about $81.8 million.

The next fiscal year starts Oct. 1.

The budget does not include funds for merit raises or cost of living adjustments.

“Projected county revenues continue to go down due to the current economic conditions that have been in effect for the past three years,” the budget resolution states. “As such, the commission must allocate the revenues available to fund county government in as prudent a manner possible in the circumstances.”