LIBERTY — Amite County supervisors on Wednesday approved an $11.9 million 2010-11 budget containing a projected $4 million fund balance and no increase in the general county millage.
The budget is about $300,000 more than the $11.6 million 2009-10 budget and anticipates $3.07 million in property tax revenue from a combination of general county and special millages.
The total 73.8-mill county millage includes the 23.69 general county millage and a total of 18.9 mills for roads and bridges, Southwest Mississippi Community College, and a 1-mill special levy for the county’s $1.5 million escrow fund, which is used as an emergency fund; and the 31.24 school district millage.
“The only millage increase is the (Amite County) school district budget,” Chancery Clerk Ronny Taylor said.
The county’s board of education increased the school district’s millage from 28.62 mills to 31.24 mills to cover revenue losses from a reduction in county property values and cuts in Mississippi Adequate Aid to Education Program funds.
According to a breakdown of the county millage rates, the 12-mill road and bridge millage is projected to raise $1.035 million.
In another matter, the board approved an application for a U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service grant to repair bank erosion on the West Fork of the Amite River on Lower Centreville Road south of Liberty.
Supervisor Will Powell, who represents the district where the problem is located, said the river’s current is eroding the bank and threatening to cut the road.
The problem is similar to a problem on the Old 24 Compromise north of Liberty, where erosion separated a bridge crossing the river from the road.
The proposed $100,000 project involves laying 150 to 200 feet of riprap to stabilize the river bank and stop the erosion.
The grant will pay 75 percent of the project cost with the county paying 25 percent.
No construction date was given pending the approval of the grant.
In other action, the board:
• Approved paying the Smithdale Volunteer Fire Department $1,000 for leasing the fire station for the New Zion Voting Precinct.
Taylor said the board leased the building as a voting precinct in 2006 for $200 a month, but never paid the rent.
• Approved installing a 15-inch by 24-inch culvert on Stump Road in District 3.
• Accepted the resignation of Mary Sasfras as part-time dispatcher, and the hiring of Latosha Neal as a part-time dispatcher at $7.25 an hour and Suzanna O’Nellion as part-time jailer at $7.25 an hour.
