Service awards presented during July 9 Commissioner’s Court (corrected)

by Josie Fox
Cherokee County employees present to receive their years of service award during the July 9 Commissioner’s Court meeting were, in no particular order, Jennifer Crowley, Judia Husband, Kelly Ray, Marceia Hamilton, Jonathan Hughes, Pam White, Peggy  Cornelius and Chris Davis. Also pictured are county commissioners Kelly Traylor, Pct. 1;  Steven Norton, Pct. 2; Pactrick Reagan, Pct. 3 and Byron Underwood, Pct. 4. Cherokee County employees present to receive their years of service award during the July 9 Commissioner’s Court meeting were, in no particular order, Jennifer Crowley, Judia Husband, Kelly Ray, Marceia Hamilton, Jonathan Hughes, Pam White, Peggy Cornelius and Chris Davis. Also pictured are county commissioners Kelly Traylor, Pct. 1; Steven Norton, Pct. 2; Pactrick Reagan, Pct. 3 and Byron Underwood, Pct. 4.

Years of service awards were presented to county employees during the July 9 Commissioner’s Court meeting.

Those receiving an award for five years of service were Jennifer Crowley, Cameron Hambrick, Judia Husband, Kelly Ray and Terry Roach.

Marceia Hamilton, Robyn Jackson, Keith Lindsey and Cathy Willis were recognized for 10 years of service with Jonathan Hughes, Randall Hunter and Pam White recognized for 20 years of service.

Awarded for 25 years of service were Judge Chris Davis and Peggy Cornelius.

Linda Little with Cherokee County Tax Assessors office asked the court to approve a budget amendment that did not receive a second motion.

Little advised the court that her budget was showing $3,000 excess under a maintenance line for two extra machines that the office will no longer have to pay on, and she was requesting this be moved so the funds could be utilized to provide merit raises for employees in her department.

“This $3,000 will be a continuos savings,” Little said.

Commissioner Kelly Traylor, Precinct 1 asked for clarification that the money would no longer be needed and that Little was wanting to move the amount over into wages, and when confirmed by Little this was correct, Traylor made the motion to approve the line item.

Commissioner Steven Norton, Pct. 2 presented opposition to the amendment.

“I am all for giving merit raises, but we need to do this the correct way and it should be placed into your budget instead of moved from another line item,” Norton said.

“So the $3,000 is lost to the budget pool at the end of the year?” asked Little.

“We need to follow protocal,” Norton said. “If not, then anytime a department has a surplus of funds, they will want to do a budget amendment. If the funds are going to be there, put them into your budget in October so the raises can be awarded.”

In other business, the court unanimously approved the relocation of voting Pct. 33 from Reece Community Center to East Lake Baptist Church.

“The community center had been on the market for a while and had finally sold,” said Shannon Cornelious, Elections Administrator. “East Lake will be better for voters as it is easier to find, has ample parking, wheelchair access and will provide the space needed.”

Patsy Lassiter provided an update on health and life insurance pricing, advising that each will be increasing into the next term year. Despite the increases, Lassiter asked the court approve the renewal of the existing plan.

“There will be an increase of $20.54 per month for the health insurance,” Lassiter said. “For the life insurance, pricing will increase from $3.75 to $4.35 dollars for active employees. The plan for the retirees over 65 will come up for renewal later in the year.”

Purchase of a tractor and lowboy bumper pull trailer for Pct. 3 was approved.

The consideration for approval of nomination to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors for the Cherokee County Appraisal District was tabled. Commissioners requested more information on who was resigning prior to making a nomination and decision.

Approval was given for Maydelle Water Supply to do line work in the right of way on CR 1801 as well as approval for the sheriff’s department to sell surplus vehicles through Auctioneer Express.

The sheriff’s department monthly report was approved along with the Pct. 2 and License and Weight monthly reports.