Cherokee County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Tim Burgess spoke to a large gathering during this month’s Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.

Burgess gave a presentation on the State of the County.

The Judge touched on a number of topics including a complete breakdown of the Ad Valorem tax distributions, county sales tax rates and percentages breakdowns, current sales tax, Simplified Seller’s Use tax/Internet sales tax and lodging tax.

Burgess also gave an update on the county budget; the current year’s budget is at $22,762,530 which is a 19.12% increase from last year’s $19,109,465 budget.

One of the most notable topics discussed was the recent depletion of the deficit at the Cherokee County Detention Center. Burgess praised Warden Brent Snead for finding ways to cut funding while still maintaining the facility and provide for inmates. He also thanked Sheriff Jeff Shaver for being able to bring back Federal Inmates to the detention center which amounts to around $300,000 in annual income.

The county will be receiving approximately $5,088,266 from the 2021 American Rescue Plan, those funds must be allocated by December, 31st, 2024 and Judge Burgess said that the County Commission is currently considering all options for the money.

The current unemployment rate in Cherokee County is lower than the state and national average, a figure that came as a shock to many. Currently, Cherokee County has an unemployment rate of 2.0%, the state average is 2.8% and the national average is 3.7% according to the latest figures from the Alabama Department of Labor.

The county now has a brand new website up and running. Judge Burgess thanked Aubry Itson with ANR Media Group for her long hours of work in getting site up and functional. Burgess said that citizens can now take advantage of many of the county services including online tag renewal, payment of property taxes, etc. going online to www.cherokeecounty-al.gov

We have posted the entire presentation below