NARCOG approves 2013 budget, includes merit raises

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August 31, 2012

NARCOG approves 2013 budget, includes merit raises

By Ashley Graves The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Fri Aug 31, 2012, 01:10 PM CDT

Despite still having no word from Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on the future of Morgan County's status with the North-Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG), members of the organization reconvened Wednesday for the first time in months to discuss several issues Wednesday, including the approval of 2013 fiscal year budget, which included a 2.5 percent merit raise for all employees.

Executive Director Lona Johns presented board members with a three-county budget for the upcoming year, due to the anticipation that Gov. Bentley won't act on the issue before the Sept. 30 deadline. But should he do so, she said it would still be quite a while before the done deal was finalized due to the move also having to be approved by the federal government before any money can be switched from NARCOG to TARCOG.

"This will be a long process," she said. "But we do have back-up budgets in place. We have looked at all the numbers for a two-county operation as well as a three-county operation. Right now, Morgan County is still a part of our COG, so that's why the budget today is for three counties. We are still providing services to them."

With the salary scale for 2012 and the projections for 2013, Johns said NARCOG was going to have a savings of right at $149,000, which she requested be used to give all employees a 2.5 percent merit raise beginning January 1. Even after the raises, Johns added there would still be $130,000 of savings.

"With this savings, I’m requesting that we go back to our policy of when hiring a new employee, they are on probation for a period of six months. Then, at the end of that six months, you are given a 2.5 raise when made a permanent employee," Johns said. " You have a fine group of hard working employees who are working to represent you in the best way possible, and we would appreciate it if you would give them a 2.5 percent raise."

Cullman County Commission Chairman James Graves was opposed to the idea.

"We've got some of the highest paid clerical staff probably anywhere in Alabama, at least comparable to anybody, and to me, they're paid way higher than they should be," Graves said. "We talked some months ago of across the board cuts to bring that down, and then help fund any of these agencies who need additional funds for meals or whatever else. Randall (Shedd) is having to rely on additional funds through United Way to pay for meals for the homebound. I'm sorry, the people (employees) are there to serve, not to be served. I just want to make sure everything is taken care of before we do this."

However, despite voicing his opinion of being opposed, when asked for a vote to approve the 2013 budget, Graves was in favor.

In other items of business, the NARCOG board:

• Approved March, 28, 2012 and April 10, 2012 minutes.

• Approved bills and financials for February 2012.

• Approved April 25, 2012 minutes.

• Approved bills and financials for March, April, May and June 2012.

• Approved mid-year budget revision.

• Approved the review of the fiscal year 2011 audit.

• Adopted a resolution for the fiscal year 2013 RPO work program.

• Accepted the resignation of Randall Shedd, outgoing mayor of Fairview from the NARCOG board.

• Recognized Fairview town councilman, and newly elected mayor Dale Seals as a new NARCOG board member.

• Recognized Tim Culpepper as a NARCOG board member to fill the unexpected term of Arnice Weeks.

• Changed the NARCOG board meeting from October 24,2012 to October 17, 2012.

* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by e-mail at agraves@cullmantimes.com

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