Budget Discussions Dominate Board of Commissioners Morning Work Session

Tuesday morning's work session of the Board of Commissioners gave the public the first of two opportunities today to provide input into the 2012 budget for the county.

Prior to the start of the public hearing, County Administrator Michael Jones summarized the budget process thus far. The public hearings are designed to allow residents to provide input to the commissioners prior to a final decision being made on the budget for next year.

"Last year we heard that we had not gotten enough input from the public," Jones said.

Jones added that the county had lost about $9 million in tax revenues during the past five years, even with two upward adjustments in the millage rate.

According to Jones, the millage rate was set to cover a three-year period, but higher than expected declines in property values led to a drop in revenues for 2011 and to lower projections for 2012.

"The proposed budget for 2012 is $2.31 million less than last year's budget," Jones added.

Six residents addressed the commissioners during the session and were generally supportive of efforts made by the county to reduce the budget deficit.

One resident, Michael Morris, requested that commissioners consider diverting some road funds used for improvements to subdivisions where the county has not yet paved the streets.

According to Morris, his subdivision had a performance bond to be used to pave roads when the county assumed control of the streets, but there was a problem with the bond being honored for some reason.

In response to a question from commissioner Tommie Graham about whether Morris would be willing to pay a higher millage rate for the streets to be paved, Morris replied, "I might be willing to pay a higher rate but it would be hard because the bond was not honored in order for the work to be done."

Earlier in the session, Paulding Director of Transportation Scott Greene had discussed problems the county is experiencing with paving the roads in various subdivisions as the county assumes control of the streets.

Greene said that the county has about 900 miles of streets in various developments that need to be paved, and due to budget constraints, can only pave about 30 miles per year.

"At that rate, it will take a long time to finish all the roads," Greene said.

Greene and Charles Rann, Community Development director, are working on a plan to present to the board at the next meeting.

Tom Glanton, chairman of the Library Board, addressed the commissioners and said, "You have cut past the fat, but I ask that you be careful in any future cuts that will affect the quality of life in Paulding County."

The library system is slated for a reduction of $188,600 for 2012, with part of the savings to be accomplished by closing all libraries on Wednesday and reducing hours on three other days.

Another resident, Delmar Cook, praised the leadership shown by the commissioners. Cook, who has been in the county since 1941, said, "I think right now we have the best leadership we have ever had. I am willing to pay more and do whatever we need to do."

Carolyn Delamont, Paulding Chamber of Commerce President, said, "Thanks for all that has been done and the Chamber is here to support everything we are trying to do, especially for the business community."

Loran Wills, a Paulding native, thanked the board for all they are doing.

"My dad always told me that we take a lot out of the county and you need to put something back in," Wills said.

Sharon White, with Shepherd’s Rest, asked the board to consider continued funding for the battered women's ministry.

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Two bid actions were discussed during the meeting and will be on the agenda for final action in the evening session.

Finance Director Tabitha Pollard recommended approval of Asphalt Contract 1 to C.W. Matthews for $1,961,656.57, and Contract 2 to E.R. Snell for $189,579.65.

Five items of new business were on the morning agenda and will also be on tonight's agenda for action. There also will be another public hearing to solicit public comments on the budget.

Pollard recommended to the board that staff be authorized to conduct contract negotiations with FL Graphics for a kiosk sign program.

Michael Justus, Parks and Recreation director, recommended continuation of a contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections for an inmate work detail at a cost of $39,500.

Justus explained that the cost was the same as before and funds the cost of the guard. The inmates work in the county parks and along the Silver Comet Trail.

David Mumford, County 911 director, requested that the board approve a resolution to impose a 911 charge of 75 cents per transaction on prepaid wireless service. This will allow the county to start collecting those fees from the state, rather than staying in the state operating budget as in previous years.

Jones asked the board to adopt a resolution to declare seven furlough days for county employees and to close county offices on those seven days during the 2012 fiscal year.

The county will save an estimated $566,000 from the furlough days and closure of county facilities. Public safety will not be affected by the closings.

Four consent agenda items were moved to the evening session for final action. Three are for appointments to Board of Elections and one is to the Department of Family Services.

Commissioners Todd Pownall and David Barnett presented checks of $8,200 each to public safety in an effort to offset some of the lost pay for furlough days in the 2012 budget.

The checks represent reimbursement to Pownall and Barnett for their first six months in office and honor a campaign promise.

The board recognized Dee McClain, library coordinator, for her 28 years of service to Paulding County.

Bill Slaughter gave the commissioners an overview of the Georgia Military Softball Championship recently held in Paulding.

In addition to providing a venue for military heroes, the county realized an economic impact of about $1.15 million for the weekend, according to Slaughter’s estimate. He asked the board to continue to support softball tournaments in the future.

Pat Woodard asked the board to consider changing the county ordinance dealing with grass height in subdivisions.

Under the current ordinance, grass height is allowed up to 24 inches and that leads to problems in a community that has voluntary, not mandatory, covenants in place.

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