Since the recession hit and until 2010, Jackson County was able to keep its budget in order without dipping into its reserves to make up the difference.
But that's about to change.
At a town hall meeting held May 10 at the Braselton Municipal Building, hosted by County Commissioner Bruce Yates, residents got a chance to hear how the county spends its money, plans for future development and how it's handling the fiscal crisis.
John Hulsey, finance director for Jackson County, said his department is in the middle of both preparing the budget for the 2012 fiscal year while also wrapping up the audit of the current year's budget. And after years of lost revenue through dropping property values, the result is a combination of more belt-tightening by the county and dipping into reserves to keep the budget balanced.
From 2008 to 2011, Hulsey said, the county's general fund budget, the principal source of money for the county, declined by $5.4 million. Just in the past year, the general fund decreased about $4 million.
To make up the difference, he said, the county has cut 41.5 positions in the county government and had 12 furlough days.
County budget edges into the red
But the recession continues, and the county continues to look for more ways to save.
For the 2012 budget, which begins Jan. 1, the county is looking at re-evaluating its health insurance options, suspending retirement fund contributions (they were reestablished this year at the base level), reassessing the county's fees for services and continuing furlough days.
This year it took $1.7 million from the county's reserves to balance the budget, Hulsey said, and in the coming weeks his office should have a clearer picture of what to expect for the coming year.
Property tax estimates should be sent out by June 1, giving the county an idea of what it can expect in property tax revenues.
"The worst-case scenario, we're looking at a 20 percent decline in land values," he said. "We know we could lose another $1 million just on property values."
For the 2012 budget, which begins Jan. 1, the county is looking at re-evaluating its health insurance options, suspending retirement fund contributions (they were reestablished this year at the base level), reassessing the county's fees for services and continuing furlough days.
This year it took $1.7 million from the county's reserves to balance the budget, Hulsey said, and in the coming weeks his office should have a clearer picture of what to expect for the coming year.
Property tax estimates should be sent out by June 1, giving the county an idea of what it can expect in property tax revenues.
"The worst-case scenario, we're looking at a 20 percent decline in land values," he said. "We know we could lose another $1 million just on property values."
At the town hall meeting Commissioner Yates told residents how the county spends money, how it plans for future development, and how it’s handling the fiscal crisis. That is what citizens want to hear about. What is changing in the county in the face of financial crisis?
That begs a question, though. What is not changing?
I propose something that is not changing is Washington’s handling of the same financial crisis. Right here in Jackson County house prices continue falling. There is no residential home building occurring. Gasoline prices average over $4 per gallon, easily doubling since our president took office.
And here is something else that isn’t changing: Unemployment. I read in the Weekly Standard that if the economy adds only about 200,000 jobs per month, approximately what it has been doing lately, it will take eleven years to reach Washington’s goals.
I hope that for the County’s sake all that changes. Jack
This sounds like yet another person who has no clue.
They have cut 41 people to date and ready to slash benefits even more yet we have people who want to comment that there spending?
At some point reality hits home and says they raise the millage rate. Let's remember it wasn't this group that built that palace of a court house...we are/ will be paying for sins of the past.
The ONLY thing that could be done is too contract out services like roads and vehicle maintenance on an as need basis. They could also look into privatizing EMS service.
I fully expect a tax hike folks because it's not going to get better anytime soon with the bunch in Washington.
He's just an easy scapegoat for ignorant citizens to agree on.
Our county as well as our country is paying for sins of the fathers.
Paid for with SPLOST $ not general fund..voted on and approved by citizens. Most of the projects going on out SPLOST related or grant funded so think again !
All the county employees that keep posting and whining should realize that people in the private sector have been dealing with benefit cut backs and more for 3 plus years.
Don't like your comfortable county job please leave because there will be 50 to 100 people lined up to take it !
I agree with another poster that we should look at privatization and out sourcing as an option.
Is anyone else sick of inmate labor and the cost of running JCCI ? How about the dirty contract with BMK ???