Gadsden County weighs personnel cuts amid budget concerns

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Service

Gadsden County officials are considering personnel reductions as they look for ways to cut spending ahead of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Interim County Administrator Reginald James told county commissioners during their Sept. 1 meeting that local governments are experiencing financial stress in anticipation of Amendment 3 and said personnel represents about 65% of the county’s budget.

James said county officials had participated in a workshop about reducing personnel as part of efforts to lower expenses.

The discussion comes as commissioners work through a budget that has already prompted calls for significant reductions. During an Aug. 25 budget workshop, county officials presented a budget that could be balanced without using fund balance if the property tax rate remains at 9 mills. Moving to the rollback rate under that proposal would require at least $1.2 million from fund balance.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins previously called for commissioners to see a budget using the rollback rate as well as a version reflecting about $6 million in cuts. Interim administrators and department directors have also been reviewing potential reductions.

During the Sept. 1 meeting, Commissioner Ronterious Green requested an organizational chart and a list of positions that could be affected by cuts.

Green also raised concerns about the county’s continued reliance on interim leadership, noting that the county was approaching a year with an interim county administrator and interim county attorney.

He asked for human resources staff to make a presentation to commissioners on actions the board has already taken regarding the positions and the process of filling them permanently.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to hold a workshop with human resources on hiring a permanent county administrator and county attorney.

Spending questions also surfaced as commissioners considered employee health insurance.

Capital Health Plan proposed a 3.5% premium increase for the upcoming fiscal year. The county currently pays 100% of employee-only premiums, 77.6% of employee-plus-spouse and employee-plus-dependent coverage and 83.5% of family coverage.

Commissioners questioned whether the county should continue with the existing plan or seek competitive proposals. The board voted 5-0 to begin the bidding process for health insurance rates for 2027.

The board also approved an option under the current plan that would have the county absorb the premium increase rather than passing the increase on to employees.

Commissioners stopped short of approving another proposed expense, a three-year Motorola maintenance and support agreement for the county’s radio system.

Board members questioned whether the service could be competitively bid and whether the county would have an option to terminate the agreement before the three-year period ended. Information Technology Director Kembrew Jackson said the agreement was initially proposed for five years but had been reduced to three.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to table the contract.

The board did move forward with the selection of firms to provide federal lobbying services, voting 5-0 to authorize notices of intent and award and negotiations with selected proposers.

Commissioners also spent considerable time debating fees for the use of county parks and buildings.

Chairman Eric Hinson and Simpkins argued against charging a park fee, while Commissioner Brenda Holt supported charging a fee and raised concerns about liability insurance.

After several motions and amendments, commissioners approved a fee structure on a 3-2 vote. The final motion set a $500 full-day fee for county buildings, a $250 staffing deposit and a $150 security fee. Hinson and Green opposed the motion.

Commissioners raised several other issues before adjournment, including trees along county rights of way, the Stevens School grant and Woodberry Road.

Hinson also said the county needed to move forward on bonds and schedule a workshop, mentioning the county jail and money earmarked for repairs.

The board scheduled a special meeting for Sept. 14.

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