The main topic at the regular meeting of the Greene County Commission was budget problems.The general fund has two months of operating funds left; the Board of Registrars is over budget; EMS is over budget; RSVP has budget issues and the Sheriff’s Department is 23% over budget.

The main topic at the regular meeting of the Greene County Commission was budget problems.The general fund has two months of operating funds left; the Board of Registrars is over budget; EMS is over budget; RSVP has budget issues and the Sheriff’s Department is 23% over budget.Commission Chair William Underwood said that Sheriff Joe Benison could not be blamed for all of the problems in his department. ‘There were three sheriffs before him,” said Underwood.According to Underwood, the Sheriff is not willing to lay off any personnel but would consider reducing work hours.Benison told the commission that the over budget expenditures were not his.”To put all the blame on me – I’m not going to stand for it. I’m going to keep up with my own budget starting October 1. I am going to do what I have to do.”Underwood asked Benison if there were any funds in the Sheriff’s office such as pistol permit funds or the bingo account that could be used.Benison agreed to look into the situation and discuss it with the commissioners.Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr. suggested that CFO Paula Bird should be the one to work directly with the sheriff.After more discussion, the commission agreed that the sheriff’s budget would cover the sheriff’s salary and the salaries of five deputies.They also approved payment of claims in the amount of $275,225 for the month of July.Appointments were made to several county boards including:Jerry Clark – 911 BoardEdna Chambers – Board of EqualizationJames Carter – Transportation Board.Other decisions included:*Approved the request of StoryTree Company for the use of the Eutaw Activity Center  for an Arts Program August 23-26.*Approved the  request  of  the Society of Folk Arts and Culture for the use of the courthouse August 27-28.*Approved an agreement with the Greene County Industrial Authority and the Greene County Commission regarding state and federal funds to improve Crossroads of America Industrial Park.*Granted a 90 day extension in the use of National Emergency Grant workers to the Public Works Department. According to County Engineer Arzo Abrams, the county is fixing all right of ways that were damaged by the tornados and clearing all county roads. Abrams said they will get 100% reimbursement on the costs.*Approved transferring money to the Emergency Management Agency from the Pandemic Flu account.*Approved transferring funds in the Highway Department to cover the additional cost of fuel.*Approved an agreement between the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Greene County Commission for emergency repairs for the debris removal, sign replacement and guardrail repair on various county roads.*Approved travel expenses for commissioners, the county engineer and the assistant county engineer to travel to the ACCA Annual Conference August 16-18.*Announced a call meeting scheduled for August 15 with the Greene County Board of Education.