Baldwin County Commission Budget Meeting - August 28, 2024

The Baldwin County Commission held a budget work session on August 28, 2024, to discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget. Commissioners deliberated on personnel costs, capital equipment, insurance changes, and contributions to local chambers of commerce. A key theme was balancing employee retention with fiscal constraints. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.

Personnel & Employee Retention

• Commissioner Bowser raised concerns about retaining quality employees due to salary competition with Mobile County, noting Mobile County is about $10,000 higher on entry-level salaries. The commission discussed a proposed 2.85% across-the-board cost-of-living increase for employees, costing the county an estimated $28,343 for appointed directors alone.
• The county's appraiser noted that his department's salaries have increased by $12,903 over three years due to reduced staff and increased efficiency.
• A raise for a specific contract employee (Tom, EMA director) was discussed. Commissioner Tucker noted Tom was brought in at $105,000, lower than the previous director ($95,000) and significantly less than another director (Zach at $120,000-$125,000). Commissioner Gruber supported a $5,000 raise to bring Tom to $120,000, citing his performance and reputation. Other commissioners expressed caution because of large raises given last year (5%, 8%, 11%) and the desire to avoid mid-term adjustments.
• Commissioner Hahn criticized the sheriff's office for giving an 11% raise to the chief deputy last year, arguing that money should have gone to road deputies.

Equipment: Video Wall Replacement

• The commission considered replacing an obsolete video wall in the EMA operations center. The current system uses a quad encoder that is no longer available; failure would result in losing half the wall for about a month to replace.
• A $200,000 no-match grant has been submitted; decision expected by end of September. The cost to replace the entire system is $250,000.
• Commissioner Underwood argued to wait for the grant outcome, noting the unit is currently functional and has not been used in a full activation for three years. He suggested if it fails, they could make an emergency adjustment. The commission agreed to postpone the purchase until grant results are known, and to budget $50,000 as a contingency if the grant is not awarded.

Vehicles for Inspections

• The planning and inspections department requested four new trucks (Ford F-150s) at $55,000 each. After discussion, they reduced the request to three and proposed deferring one to mid-year, saving about $100,000.
• Commissioner Gruber questioned the need for $55,000 trucks, suggesting cheaper alternatives like Ford Explorers. The department explained that inspectors need four-wheel drive for active construction sites and that base-model trucks hold resale value better.
• Commissioner Underwood supported returning to the original request for four trucks, arguing that field inspectors deserve new vehicles rather than hand-me-downs. The commission approved the original plan for four trucks.

Health Insurance Changes

• Health insurance costs increased by 12%. The commission proposed absorbing 10% of the increase and passing the remaining 2% to employees through higher deductibles (not premiums). The alternative would have been to increase employee premiums.
• Commissioner Hahn expressed concern that increasing deductibles could cause financial hardship for some employees, but acknowledged that not all employees use healthcare each year. The recommendation was to keep premiums flat and raise deductibles, with encouragement to use HSAs.

Chamber of Commerce Contributions

• Discussion on contributions to five chambers: Coastal, North Baldwin, Central Baldwin, South Baldwin, and one other. Previously each received $1,000. Commissioner Hahn proposed raising North Baldwin and Central Baldwin to $2,500 each because they are smaller and have fewer resources, while leaving the other three at $1,000. Commissioner Tucker initially wanted equal treatment but then agreed to the differential. The commission settled on $2,500 for North and Central, $1,000 for the others.
• Also discussed: a proposed $10,000 contribution to the Battleship USS Alabama, noting it is a major tourist attraction even though it sits in Mobile County. No objections raised.

Other Discussions

• Commissioner Tucker raised awareness about First Amendment audits, where individuals film in public buildings to provoke reactions and post videos for monetization. She urged training for employees and commissioners on how to respond without engaging. Commissioner Gruber noted that such training had already been given to some departments. The commission discussed posting restricted signage and enhancing security.
• The budget was reported to be close to balanced, with a $2.7 million gap after accounting for a bond issue that freed up $4.3 million in general fund obligations. The timeline calls for one more budget meeting before final approval.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: 2.85% cost-of-living increase for employees (to be finalized).
• Approved: Raise for Tom (EMA director) from $105,000 to $120,000, contingent on budget finalization.
• Postponed: Video wall replacement pending grant decision (end of September). Budget $50,000 as contingency.
• Approved: Purchase of four trucks for inspections department (original request, full amount).
• Approved: Chamber contributions: $2,500 for North and Central Baldwin; $1,000 for others.
• Approved: $10,000 contribution to Battleship USS Alabama.
• Direction: Staff to implement insurance change: absorb 10% of 12% increase, raise deductibles to cover the remaining 2%.
• Action Item: Commission to formalize training and signage protocols for First Amendment audits at next meeting.