Baldwin Commission approves $250 million 2024 budget

Baldwin Commission approves $250 million 2024 budget
Pay increases for front line, entry level personnel a priority

The $250 million recently approved by the Baldwin County Commission for 2024 will focus on public safety, infrastructure improvements and employee retention. The budget is a 3.8% increase over lst year.
One ticket item is a new record management system and the jail management system for approximately $1 million for the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. The software system will provide the capability to share critical digital information with at least nine municipal partners and E-911. This is in addition to another $1.8 million to BCSD for vehicle replacement and other important equipment for public safety purposes.
Notable projects funded in the upcoming fiscal year include:
• Improvements at Live Oak Landing and Bicentennial Park, which include an Interpretive Pedestrian Trail System to connect the two parks.
• Construction of the new County Rd 6 Park with boat launch on Bon Secour River.
• Facility upgrades at Lillian Recreational Park to include new bathrooms, a new pavilion, and improved ADA access.
• Playground Equipment Upgrades at Latham Park.
• Bridge Replacement on Sherman Rd over Weeks Branch.
• Resurfacing 34 miles of County roads.
• Paving 6 miles of existing dirt roads, including Paul Cleverdon Rd along the County Rd 65 corridor.
• Capacity Improvements along the County Rd 64 Corridor between AL Hwy 181 and Fish River.
• Traffic Signal Installation at County Rd 12 & County Rd 65 Intersection.
• Intersection Safety Improvements and Realignment at US-98 & Old Foley Rd.
The County Commission implemented a staggered pay scale adjustment plan providing larger percentage increases mostly for the front-line, entry-level personnel. Hourly rate positions starting at $12.25 through $15.63 were increased 11% to new starting amounts of $13.60 through $17.35.
Hourly rate positions starting at $16.42 through $19.38 were increased 8% to new starting amounts of $17.73 through $20.93. Hourly rate positions starting at $20.53 through $27.67 were increased 5% to new starting amounts of $21.56 through $29.05.
The Adopted FY24 Budget can be found at baldwincountyal.gov.