August 24, 2015 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved a savings of $160,000 through a new office system contract approved during their meeting held on Monday, August 24, 2015, as well as a new vehicle for the Precinct 2 Constable office.
Judge Harbison contacted Innovative Office Systems, the company which provides printer and copier equipment for the county about the current contract and renegotiated with the company. According to Judge Harbison the county uses 50 pieces of equipment provided by the company.
"I think it's a really good contract. We had two years and three months, we had 27 months left on our current contract. If we were not to renegotiate the contract, over that amount of time we would be paying $270,297," said Judge Harbison.
With the newly negotiated cost of $101,250 the county would see a savings of $160,000 over the 27 months. The new contract is for three years and the new annual cost is comparable to what the county used to pay, according to Clint Porterfield, County Auditor. With the new contract the county will be saving an additional $45,000 a year.
A motion was carried and the new contract was approved.
Jamie Hagler, Precinct 2 Constable, approached Judge Harbison recently about the 2007 Dodge pickup truck he uses to patrol as it was in need of substantial repair. Judge Harbison requested Constable Hagler procure estimates on repairs and quotes on new vehicles.
San Augustine Motor Company quoted $20,495.92 for a 2015 vehicle and an allowance of $7,500 with a trade-in of the current truck. Center Motor Company quoted $24,875.10 for a 2014 model vehicle.
"When did the county start buying constable vehicles?," asked Travis Rodgers, Commissioner Precinct 3.
Judge Harbison stated during 2007 there were ample forfeiture funds allowing the Precinct 4 Constable's office to purchase all of the constable vehicles, "I would hate to see us go backwards. I would hate to see us go back to previous before 2007 where they have to drive their own vehicles and they have to keep up with their mileage."
Clint Porterfield informed the commissioners the county is $150,000 exceeding budget in revenue and under budget by approximately $500,000 this year.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, stated a constable can't be expected to provide the same service when they're making $35,000 a year and have to provide their own vehicle. Sheriff Willis Blackwell stated Constable Hagler is active in his job and responds to a lot of calls in Precinct 2.
A motion was carried to approve the purchase of the lower priced vehicle with funds being paid from the Contingency fund.
The commissioners once again discussed the acquisition of new software for the Sheriff's Department. Judge Harbison expressed concern over Spillman Technologies, Inc. possibly not being the most economical software available and would like to see a proposal from Tyler Technologies. She stated Center City Manager Chad Nehring and Assistant City Manager Jim Gibson have expressed interest in partnering with the county in whatever software is chosen.
Shelby County Republican Party Election Judges: 1N - Mrs. Lenora Walton 1W - Mrs. Laura Simmons 1S - Mrs. Rose Specter 1SW - Mr. Scott Samford 1SE - Ms. Connie Spann 2 - Mr. L.D. Eddins 3 - Ms. Sherryl McGown 4 - Mrs. Etola Jones 5 - Dr. Debrah Worsham 6 - Mrs. Shirley Brittain 7 - Mrs. Marie Miller 8 - Mr. Ronald Barker 9N - Mrs. Sandra Brownlow 9S - Mr. Shannon Ramsey Early Ballot Board Judge - Lenora Walton |
A motion was carried to table the purchase of Spillman Technologies, Inc. software until Tyler Technologies can make a presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07am. The commissioners took a break for a few minutes and then returned for a scheduled budget hearing to discuss the Proposed Budget for 2015-2016.
Judge Harbison opened by addressing the proposed effective tax rate of .6078, which she said is a 7/10 of a cent increase per $100; 7 cents per $1,000; 70 cents per $10,000; and 7 dollars per $100,000. Meaning, if a property owners property evaluation is $200,000 then their tax will increase $14 for the county.
"Your homestead exemption for your school tax is going to go up $10,000. So, I don't look for anybody's tax bill to go up because of the county tax," said Judge Harbison.
Porterfield reported on the effective tax rate "The effective tax rate is only used to bring us to the same revenue that we would have collected last year, so we're not proposing a tax increase to have surplus revenue above and beyond what we did last year. We're proposing the effective rate to bring in the same amount of money."
$101,000 is the amount collected through the tax, according to Porterfield and this is split between the General fund and Road and Bridge. This breaks down $12,500 per precinct which is $6,000 less than last year.
Judge Harbison remarked Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, runs her office out of her home for years. It has been proposed in the budget for Anderson to receive $200 as compensation for the use of her home.
Toward the end of the hearing Judge Harbison commended elected officials for staying within their budgets, "Our cash balance is going to be healthy, I believe it's going to be around $3.7million that we're going to have in the bank, October 1 cash."
Agenda items receiving approval include:
Pay monthly expenses.
County Auditor to conduct audit of District Attorney Forfeiture/Seizure funds per Code of Criminal Procedure 59.06 (g).
Renew renegotiated contract with Innovative Office Systems for copiers and printers at a saving to the county of $45,000 a year.
Purchase of lower priced vehicle proposed for Precinct 2 Constable office with funds being paid from the Contingency fund.
Resolution Designating “Regional Fall Prevention Awareness Day.”
Appoint Election Judges for County Election Precincts for a two year term.
Adjournment.
Tabled agenda items:
Contract from Spillman Technologies, Inc. to purchase a software system for the Sheriff’s Department.
