Few Show Interest in Budget
Two public hearings on the $9,967,090 county budget attracted little attention Tuesday, with only one citizen attending each of them—Mary Patrick at the 9 a.m. hearing and Charles Forsythe at the 6 p.m. hearing.
All commissioners were present for the 6 p.m. meeting, and County Manager Mike Benton went through the consolidated budget line by line again. The overall budget is a four percent increase over last year’s budget, however the millage rate is going down one point. Last year’s millage rate was 17.446, and this year’s is 16.446.
Because some assessments went up higher than others, and some assessments did not change at all, some people will see a tax increase, some people will see a tax decrease, but most people’s bills will remain steady, according to information presented at commission meetings. The proposed millage rate which is decreased by one point is less than the rollback amount, and the rollback amount theoretically keeps taxes at the same point. Because values have changed, individual property owners may see changes.
Most of the budget remained steady, but some departments saw some fairly hefty increases. Elections went up 36 percent, because of the possibility there could be five elections in the 2017 fiscal year. Likewise the registrar office went up for the same reason.
The Magistrate Court budget is up some 11 percent, mostly because full-time clerical help has been added. Courts (other costs) went up substantially, mostly as a result of indigent court costs increasing.
There was also a significant increase in component units and in debt service. Of the component units, the 911 cost went up a good bit. Part of it is offset by money that was saved when the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director’s salary was moved to 911. But the other part of the increase is the upgrade to the 911 facility that cost more than what was budgeted in the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
The landfill budget is going up considerably, and the county manager explained that it is primarily because of a math mistake in last year’s landfill budget. The senior center also is seeing an increase, and the county manager explained the state is requiring more seniors being served, and that is why it costs more.
One other increase is employee raises. Once department heads have done reviews on employees, many will be entitled to a three percent pay raise. Many of the employees have not had a pay raise in eight years
The complete budget is available for review in the commissioners’ office in the Courthouse. Anyone who missed the public hearing and wants to comment on the budget should contact the county manager at mbenton@jaspercountyga.org or call or e-mail their commissioner.
