Montgomery Commission Amends Final 2020 Budget
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The Montgomery County Commission amended the final 2020 budget to record the exact revenues and expenditures for the year. This final amendment, approved in the commission’s regular session on October 11, shifted the total net revenue over expenditures, bringing about a $574,732 increase in surplus finances.
The original projected revenue for the 2020 budget was $4,580,050. According to the newlyamended figures, a total of $4,409,459 was actually collected. This $170,591 decrease was not a setback for the 2020 budget, as the total expenditures for the year also decreased by $745,323. The original expenditures were projected at $4,434,153, while the amended budget reports that only $3,688,830 was spent.
These decreases combined to create an increase in net revenue over expenditures, as the total net revenue after expenditures increased from $145,897 to $720,629, which put the county’s economy in great standing at the beginning of the 2021 fiscal year. Alcohol Beverage Ordinance Amendment The Commission also approved the first adoption of the amendment to the alcoholic beverage ordinance, which makes some changes to policies regarding wine, times of retail, and application process.
The newly-amended ordinance combines the sale of malt beverages and wine into single policies, rather than listing differing regulations. The only area now where these two types of alcoholic consumption differ is in the excise tax: malt beverages have an excise tax based on container size, ranging from $0.70 to $1.60 per containers. Retail of these beverages is now valid only from 8 a.m.-12 a.m. on Monday through Saturday; no distribution is valid on Sundays or any other day restricted by state legislature (Election Day). Applications for alcohol licenses for the offsite consumption of the beverages will now be approved by the County Manager, or, continued from page
in the absence of the County Manager, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. To receive this licensure, owners of the business that is applying must be found to be reputable.
If the County Manager or Chairman deny an application, owners of the applying business have 30 days to make an appeal to the Board of Commissioners. After filing this appeal, the Commissioners have 60 days to make a final decision on the licensure.
This application process is only valid for the application for offsite beverage consumption. All other applications must go through the entire Board of Commissioners.
Rescission of Tax Overpayment Refund
Commissioners voted to rescind the previously passed resolution to refund Montgomery County Property Owners Bobby and Melinda Gibbs for their overpayment of property taxes.
Last month, the Commission authorized Gibbs to receive $1,351.69 as a refund for 7 years of overpaid property taxes, which resulted from an error in information about the property. The Board of Commissioners has decided to hold off on this action until they obtain legal counsel on the issue.
Speed Ordinance Amendment Adoption
The Commission has overseen the process of traffic studies by EMC Engineers for several months, as it prepared to set the speed limits for countymaintained, off-system paved roads. These studies have now led to the beginning of the speed limit adoption process, which began at the October 11 meeting. For more information regarding roads affected and the proposed speed limits, visit the Montgomery County website.
Forestry Building Repair
The forestry building at Earthsaver Drive will receive several improvements to rid the structure of mold, thanks to the unanimous approval of Commissioners. The total cost for these repairs is $7,900 and will make the building sustainable for several more years of use. Commissioners approved the building to be sprayed for mold and have waterproof material placed underneath as a moisture barrier. The Commission also approved the removal of mold-infected sheetrock and replacement with new sheetrock, as well as the caulking, painting, and repair of crown molding.
Timber Bid
Tar Land and Timber, Inc. will purchase 9 acres of timber from the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners for $12,199; this sale follows the bid and contract search which Commissioners conducted to harvest trees from 208 Earthsaver Drive.
