MINUTES Special Called Meeting SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 5:00 PM  MERIWETHER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  Commissioners Present: Chairman Gene King, Commissioner Rosla Plant, and Commissioner Commissioners Absent: Vice Chairman Adam Worsley and Commissioner Emmett Collins Staff Present: Administrative Team/Finance Director. John Gorton, Administrative Team/County Clerk Allyson Stephens, and Administrative Team/I.T. Director Matthew Brown  Bryan Threadgill  Staff Absent:  I. CALL TO ORDER II. ADOPT AGENDA Adopt the Agenda. All were in favor. III. NEW BUSINESS IV. PUBLICHEARING  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gene King at 5:00 p.m.  Amotion was made by Commissioner Plant and seconded by Commissioner Threadgill to  1. Proposed FY 2024-2025 Budget  A motion was made by Commissioner Plant and seconded by Commissioner Threadgill to go into al Public Hearing for the Proposed FY 2024-2025 Budget at 5:00 p.m. All were in favor. Finance Director John Gorton presented a recap of the budget. Director Gorton stated the budget revenue for the General Fund for FY 2023-2024 was approximately $18,939,371.00. Director Gorton stated the proposed General Fund for FY 2024-20251 is $21,390,470.00, which is approximately a 13%g growth over the prior year. Director Gorton stated that with the current budget nearing completion, the projected revenues for the end oft the FY23-24 budget cycle are slightly over $20,000,000.00. Director Gorton stated this will put the FY24-25 Budget at a' 7% increase over the projection of the FY23-24 Budget. Director Gorton stated that revenues for the Tax Collection line item have surpassed projections, with actual revenues for FY23-24 having caused the increase of projections for the FY24-25 fiscal year. Director Gorton stated there is an increase in the transfer-in line item due to the following items being needed in the expenditures in the FY24-25 Budget: Countywide reevaluation at an estimated cost of $233,500, and includes a fly-over of the entire County to capture imagery on all personal and commercial property on every plat of1 land in the County, a commercial property evaluation throughout the County, as well as updating the residential schedules to properly assess the value ofresidential improvements and the grant match for the Airport Authority Entrance Road and Runway Lighting Project. Director Gorton stated that under Expenditures, the following are included: The County is taking on the increase oft the Medical premiums. The up to 2.5% merit increase, which is included ini the Departmental Budgets, and there is $105,000 in! Employee Other Benefits under Human Resources for hourly employee's pay increases for certifications, as well as any salary adjustments based on the new    salary-level pay scale that has been adopted for salaried employees and Department Heads. Director Gorton stated that all the Special Funds are balanced as well, with no significant increase in comparison to the 2023-2024 end-of-year projections. Director Gorton stated the Fire District has an increase of 8.8% over the 2023-2024 Budget for the 2024-2025 Budget, due to salary adjustments with the new pay scale and insurance paid by the County. Director Gorton stated that the staff recommends approval oft the proposed Budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, that will begin on October 1,2024, and end on September 30, 2025. Director Gorton stated that when calculated, 57% oft the budget is from salaries, insurance, FICA, and retirement. Director Gorton stated that salaries make up 43% of the budget, and 69% of the revenues of the budget come from any type of collection oftaxes. Chairman King asked ift there was anyone in the audience that wanted to speak for or against the proposed budget. With no one signed up or wanting to speak for or against the Proposed FY2024-2025 Budget, a motion was made by Commissioner Threadgill and seconded by Commissioner Plant to close the Public Hearing at A motion was made by Commissioner Threadgill and seconded by Commissioner Plant to go into Executive Session to discuss Litigation and Real Estate at 5:04 p.m. All were in favor. A motion was made by Commissioner Plant and seconded by Commissioner Threadgill to come A motion was made by Commissioner Threadgill and seconded by Commissioner Plant to go  5:04 p.m. All were in favor. V. EXECUTIVE SESSION  out oft the Executive Session at 5:46 p.m. back into the Regular Session at 5:47 p.m. VI. ADJOURNMENT  Chairman King stated there was no action taken in the Executive Session.  With no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Threadgill and seconded by Commissioner Plant to adjourn the Called Meeting at 5:47 p.m.. All were in favor. Approved by: Majonly vole ofth Brd of Conmussioners Attest: Auyoo 8 Buphons, Coundy Clert  Date: Octoher 7 2024