Anniston, AL – The Calhoun County Commission approved its fiscal year 2027 budget Thursday, Sept. 24, during a meeting that also included action on tourism funding, nuisance properties, environmental cleanup funding, Sheriff’s Office equipment and several county agreements.
The FY27 general fund budget totals a little more than $29 million, while the Highway Department budget totals more than $22 million, according to information presented to commissioners. County officials said the general fund budget is slightly higher than the previous year, with increases in revenue expected to help cover higher expenditures.
A significant component of the new budget involves employee compensation. During the presentation, county officials said a classification and pay study was conducted and that the county will implement a new employee pay scale along with a 2% adjustment. Officials said the payroll portion was one of the more difficult parts of preparing this year’s budget because of the classification and pay study.
The commission also extended its agreement with the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce Foundation for tourism purposes. County officials said the agreement continues an arrangement that has been in place for several years. Chamber and tourism representatives attended the meeting and thanked commissioners for continuing the partnership.
Commissioners addressed several public nuisance cases listed on Thursday’s agenda. Seven properties were approved for abatement after county officials reported that nuisance violations remained. Five other nuisance cases were dismissed after officials said the majority of the violations had been corrected. The commission also moved forward with declarations involving nine additional properties in Anniston, Alexandria and Weaver.
Among other business, commissioners awarded a bid of $18,022.84 to SETCO Inc. for solid wheel and tire assemblies for the landfill transfer station and extended the county’s agreement for GPS monitoring services for the Sheriff’s Office for another year.
The commission rejected bids for renovations at the One World Animal Control Facility after officials said the proposals exceeded available funding. The county instead authorized proceeding with the necessary work through a force-account approach under the supervision of the project’s architect.
Commissioners also declared a Sheriff’s Office drone surplus and authorized its sale. In a separate action, the commission approved the transfer of four Glock 22 sidearms to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Association for presentation to retiring deputies.
The commission authorized an agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management providing $150,000 to the county for cleanup of unauthorized dump sites located off county rights of way, as requested through solid waste management. Commissioners also extended an agreement for management of Janney Furnace Park.
At the beginning of the meeting, the commission issued a proclamation recognizing Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in recognition of the 239th anniversary of the framing of the U.S. Constitution. Representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution attended the presentation.
During public comments, Coosa Riverkeeper representative Richard Rybka discussed the organization’s involvement in PCB remediation efforts in Anniston, efforts to place trash traps in area waterways and an upcoming PFAS focus group scheduled for Oct. 27 at the Oxford Civic Center.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m.
