By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Monday night the Elmore County Commission passed their budget for fiscal year 2025, for a total amount of $89,868,413. This includes $47,733,300 that is for one-time projects or grant monies that will be used for a specific, pre-approved purpose.
Below is a summary of the major budget items and how funds will be expended in the new fiscal year:
With pay rate modifications being implemented in FY 24, merit increases are scheduled to resume merit in FY 25 budget. Merit increase amounts for departments is the equivalent of 1.25 percent of total payroll.
Includes county longevity pay incentive to be delivered during a pay period in November 2024. Employees receive a minimum of $100 per full year of service with the county and are capped at $1,000 or 10 years of continuous service with the Elmore County Commission.
Allocates $30,000 for law enforcement chaplain shared services with the City of Wetumpka.
Continues new Retiree Healthcare program to incentivize long term employment with Elmore County.
Accounts for potential increase in health insurance premiums (5 percent) which is absorbed by county rather than passed along to the employees. Also includes Retiree Insurance Incentive Program. Approval of the budget will also approve this program.
Includes an anticipated 10 percent increase in Property, Liability and Worker Compensation Insurance due to the global reinsurance market.
Includes approval of resolution to increase compensation for the coroner and provides compensation for his deputy coroners to account for increased workload.
Continues 25 percent allocations of SSUT to the Elmore County Board of Education (90 percent) and Tallassee School System (10 percent). Funds to be used for School Resource Officer support and capital projects only.
Continues waiver of online fees and credit card processing fees for citizens to continue to encourage the use of online services.
Accounts for two elections in FY 25 cycle (general and potential special election – if needed.)
Includes equipment rotation for public works equipment and public safety vehicles to include three additional vehicles for public safety.
Includes $155,000 increase for additional services for jail medical and mental health services. 600 percent increase in mental health services, 16 percent staffing increase for QCHC Nursing and 15 percent more inmate care coverage.
Continues implementation of County Rebuild Alabama Funded and Federl Aid Exchange Funded projects at $2.5 million in total projects.
Accounts for project matches and project costs for one-time projects and large projects including material, equipment and project expenditures for 17 Springs, Quality of Life Phase II projects and two public safety communications towers.
Allocates proceeds from Tulane Trust to support eligible entities with service to the impoverished. Allocation of $130,000 total.
Provides $45,000 in Opioid Settlement Funds to partner with the Elmore Commission and Carastar to provide a Mobile Crisis Intervention Team for Autauga and Elmore counties.
Includes provisions to fund the initial design of a new county jail, renovated judicial complex to account for two future Circuit Judges and a new public safety administrative building.
