Franklin County Commission approves $18.53 million budget with 5% raise for employees

The Franklin County Commission approved a $18.53 million budget for the new fiscal year that includes a five percent base pay raise for General Fund, Solid Waste and Highway Department employees.

At a special called meeting held Monday morning, commissioners approved the FY2025-26 budget divided into three segments: General Fund $10,957,011.03, Solid Waste Department $3,775,835.96 and Highway Department $3,801,206.02. (The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is funded through the general fund budget).

Beginning October 1, 2025, all General Fund, Solid Waste and Highway Department employees will see the five percent base pay raise as well as any step raises due in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Additionally, the budget includes pay scale adjustments recommended by a past pay study conducted by the University of North Alabama.

The new budget includes a 4.75% increase in health insurance premiums that will be absorbed by the county and is not being passed on to employees.

The FY2025-26 budget represents a small increase (approximately $102,125) from the previous fiscal year.

All capital outlay items for the Highway Department, Sheriff's Office and Solid Waste Departments will be purchased through the departments directly.

Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore expressed his appreciation to those who led the preparation of the new budget.

“I want to thank Leah Mansell and Jessica Thompson for working on the budget so diligently and checking and double checking everything,” Moore said. “We appreciate all the answers they gave to my many questions. Thanks also go out to the department heads for turning in their budgets in a timely manner. We appreciate what they do and the dedication of our employees as well.

“I want to thank the Franklin County Commission for their time and dedication in the budget process. It's all about working together and they are diligent in their work,” Moore added.

The commission also approved the Franklin County Appraisal budget of $917,706.49, which will now be sent to the State of Alabama for approval. 

In other agenda items at Monday's meeting, commissioners approved the following: 

—authorizing Moore and County Attorney Evan Hargett to sign an Inter-Local Mutual Aid Agreement with neighboring counties to allow Franklin County emergency personnel to assist other agencies in emergency situations and for those counties to offer assistance with employees and/or equipment in emergency situations.

—approved hiring Shona Weeks as a property clerk in the Revenue Commissioner's Office.

—approved the resignation of Sheriff's Deputy Colt Montgomery and Corrections Officer/Dispatcher Alaina James and agreed to advertise for the positions.

—approved a Memorandum of Agreement with Franklin County Schools for School Resource Officer contracts with Brian Vickery(Belgreen), Greg Baker (Phil Campbell), Charles Hamby(Tharptown) and Shane Mason(Vina).