August 24, 2016 - A line item transfer of $2,500 was made to the Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 budget during the Shelby County Commissioners Court meeting held on August 22, 2016.
Michael Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, addressed the commissioners about the need for assistance regarding expenditures in his office supplies by $894. He explained the reason for the expenditure is two docket books for his court.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, remarked the office supply budget for JP 5 was $1,100.
McSwain asked, "So in this budget right here we're looking at he was budgeted $1,100 for last year and he's done spent $1,981?"
Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, gave some background on the JP Precinct 5 budget. He stated the outside auditor for the county challenged the county to address negative numbers in budget balances.
"I would like to just as a point of accountability and transparency, work on that a little bit more diligently starting now and in the coming year with departments, with the emphasis of looking at their budgets and being aware of negative balances and coming to court and explaining those balances if funding is needed or if line item transfers are needed," said Porterfield.
He explained in the past, line item transfers were left to the auditor's office to do at their discretion and he said it should be a department function. Porterfield stated Judge Crouch had some unexpected radio expenses at the beginning of the year. Those expenses were paid for out of the office supply budget, because there was no other way to afford the expense.
"What he's asking today is just for some additional funding," said Porterfield.
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve a $2,500 line item transfer to Crouch's budget.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting: 1. Pay monthly expenses. 2. Adopt the Sheriff and Constable Fees for the 2017 fiscal year to take effect on January 1, 2017. 3. Advertise for bids on gravel, fuel, tires, janitorial services and air conditioning services for the 2016 - 2017 fiscal year. 4. Adopt the Commissioners' Court dates for the fiscal year 2016 - 2017 as the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. 5. County Holidays for 2017. 6. $2,500 line item transfer to Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Mike Crouch's budget. 7. Adjourn at 9:55am.
