An level-funded operating budget for fiscal 2012-2013, projecting revenues at $44,010,291 and estimated expenditures at $43,525,702 was approved by Morgan County Commission at an adjourned meeting on Thursday.

In a separate but related action, the governing body approved a 3 percent cost of living adjustment for all county employees.

If budgeted figures hold up, the county stands to gain about $484,000, in addition to an estimated $1.5 million overage at the end of the current budget year.

“This is a good budget and one that is realistic,” said Commission Chairman Ray Long.

“Revenues are up some and our department heads and employees have done a good job of staying within their budgets this year. As a result, we were able to include in next year’s budget a 3 percent COLA for all employees.

Traditionally, departments have asked for more money than what they needed to operate and maintain existing services,” Long stated. “That changed last year when we implemented a 10 percent reduction across the board because of a revenue shortage. It has worked because everyone did their part.

“Now that the economy is showing signs of recovering and our reserve is growing, I think Morgan County citizens have reason to be proud of how this governing body is handling their money,” he pointed out.

The commission acted on other matters as follows:

•Accepted a low bid of $6,925 per month from Ayers Cleaning Service to clean the Morgan County Courthouse. Seven other bids were received, the next lowest being $10,350 per month from Dakota Management Services and the highest being $21,952.47.

Chairman Long reported that the cost of custodial services for the building in fiscal 2011-2012 will run about $230,000, using county employees, while changing to a private firm will save the county about $146,000.

•Approved moving a custodian position from the maintenance budget to the archives budget.

•Approved the reclassification of all current juvenile probation officers to probation officers II without a pay increase.

•Approved a refund of sales tax totaling $1,236.63 to G Ferguson Enterprises for the months of April and May 2012.

•Authorized the chief administrative officer to execute a contract with Joe Wheeler EMC for garbage billing, effective Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013.

•Approved payment of $1,000 to the Alabama Charity Championship Horse Show, payable out of the Tourism, Recreation and Convention Fund.

•Adopted resolutions to initiate bridge replacement projects on Kirby Bridge Road in Districts 1 and 2 and on Vaughn Bridge Road in District 2.

•Authorized the chairman to execute the service agreement between the Morgan County Commission and City of Decatur for the annual appropriation by the city to the Morgan County Emergency Management Agency, effective Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013.

•Authorized the chairman to execute the State Sub-Grantee Agreement with the State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency for the Morgan County EMA—individual safe rooms.

•Adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals for the design, fabrication, installation and other professional services related to exhibits for the Morgan County Archives.

•Authorized the chairman to execute the long-term detention subsidy contract with the Alabama Department of Youth Services, effective Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013.

•Authorized the chairman to execute the agreement between the Morgan County Area Transportation System and Morgan County Community Action Agency Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program to provide transportation services, effective Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013.

•Approved payment of $33,008 to The Atlantic Group LLC for the Engineering Department’s purchase of a LiBar bare earth model of Morgan County with contour files. The data is being used by FEMA to improve Morgan County’s flood maps.

•Approved payment of $2,474 to RLI Surety for a public official bond renewal for Revenue Commissioner Amanda Scott, effective Oct. 1. 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013.

•Authorized Commission Chairman Ray Long to have signature authority for all documentation related to Federal Disaster Grant 1971 and to designate Belinda Ealey, chief administrative officer, and Carol Long, deputy administrative officer, as having signature authority in the absence of the chairman.

•Authorized the Emergency Management Agency to hire two contract workers to be paid out of the Disaster Assistance Grant at a rate of $9.00 per hour and to authorize the chairman to execute such contracts.