Balancing the budget was once again heavy on the minds of commissioners at the July 21 meeting.

In a continued effort to avoid a property tax increase commissioners agreed on a $2.59 tax rate, the same as last year.

The question was once again asked of County Executive Glen Donoho why the General Fund had a $1.1 million dollar deficit.

Donoho stated that the prior administration over estimated the revenue and under estimated the expenses. He also reminded the committee that no one could foresee the cut the state had taken.

A 5% across the board cut to complete the balancing process was also approved by the commission.

This, however, had one exception, the Macon County Sheriff's Department. According to Sheriff Joe Ferguson, he could see no way the sheriff's department, jail, and workhouse could continue to work with a 5% cut. He stated that the possibility of doing away with the workhouse program could happen with a 5% cut.

Sheriff Ferguson reported, in a letter to the commissioners, certain cuts could even jeopardize state inmates being brought to Macon County, which in turn could cause the county to lose money.

The commissioners then approved a tax rate of $1.07 to the School System, $.12 to the Highway Department, $.03 to the Landfill, and $1.37 to the General Fund bringing the total to the tax rate of $2.59

Resolution number two was then discussed. This resolution is to designated the first four receipts from boarding prisoners of the 03/04 fiscal year be deposited by the trustee in the county general fund.

According to former commissioner and concerned citizen, Tom Woosley, the money cannot be removed.

Executive Donoho stated, that according to the auditor, the first four payments approximately $300,000 can be used.

Woosley stated that tax payers expected when the Justice Center was built that the money was to be used to make specific payments on the Justice Center not to be transferred to the General Fund. The commissioners voted to accept resolution number 2.

At the recommendation of Debbie Richardson, Transfer Station administrator, the commissioners agreed to increase the Solid Waste Disposal fee to $50 per ton, the tire disposal fee to $80 per ton and to open the Transfer Station on the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. These changes went into effect Tuesday, July 22.

Four budget amendments were approved by the commissioners including amending the general fund budget and finance committee/other boards and committees.

Charles Darnell, CEO of Citizens Bank, requested that a footnote be added to Senate Bill 2126. The request is the ensure that if an abandoned vehicle is confiscated by the zoning board that the lien holder be notified if the lien is over $75.

This line could be added without changing the law and would reportedly cause no problems with the zoning committee.

Committee minutes were approved by the commissioners. These included the homeland security meeting from July 14, budget committee minutes from June 23, July 7, and July 14, and committee of as a whole minutes from June 23.

Notary publics were presented and accepted. They were Scott Wolfe, Darryl Partin, Margie Roark, Julia Cothron, and Marcella Dies.

A motion was made by Commissioner Melburn Cothron and 2nd Jeff Hughes to accept five bridges with a 20% county match totaling $307,000. The location of the bridges has not been discussed.

The insurance debate was once again discussed at the meeting.

According to Commissioner Patrick Rich, not one county employee has signed up to use the 125 Cafeteria Plan.

He then made a motion to reinstate the payroll deduction insurance for county employees. This motion was 2nd by Commissioner Vernon Biggs.

Commissioner Lindbergh Dennis stated that he saw no need for this motion because the insurance problem had already been settled. The motion was not approved. Commissioners Tucker, Boles, Cothron, East, Doss, Hesson, Spears, Andrews, Dennis, and Ray voting no. Commissioner Rich, Carter, Bransford, Crowder, Biggs, Hughes, Driver, Snow, and Gammons voting yes, and Sullivan passing.

Bobby Carver then spoke to the commissioners and resigned from his position on the Insurance Committee due to conflict of interest.

The next scheduled meeting scheduled for August 4, at 7 p.m.