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Politics & Government

County Finance Director: Budget on Target Now but Facing Shortfall Next Year

County commissioners learn that a projected 5 percent reduction in tax revenues will be higher at 8.27 percent in the new fiscal year.

County commissioners heard from Finance Director Tabitha Pollard during the morning work session and received good news and bad news about the financial condition of the county.

The good news is that revenues from tax collections for this year are up a couple of percentage points from last year at the same time, while expenses for the year are where they should be or below, according to Pollard.

Many of the departments are on or under budget through the reporting period ending March 31, and that led Pollard to state, "We should be in good shape to finish this year."

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The bad news is that the county now anticipates receiving fewer tax revenues next year due to a further reduction in the tax digest. 

The county had planned for a 5-percent reduction in tax revenues but now is facing an additional loss of more than $1 million due to a projected drop of 8.27 percent in the tax digest.

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"We will have a funding gap and there is a total of about $3 million that will have to be addressed in the budget for next year. We already knew of about $2 million reduction in revenue for the new year but now there will be over an extra million that must be dealt with," County Administrator Mike Jones said.

Jones pointed out that the county recently dealt with part of the problem by approving changes to the employee health insurance program, resulting in savings of more than $500,000.

Paulding is starting work on the new budget cycle by requiring department heads to submit budget needs to Pollard's office this week.

Pollard expects to have all the information together by June 1, the date of Commission Chairman David Austin's proposed budget.

Tax assessments will go out in early June, with a 45-day window for appeals. After that time has expired, the county should have a budget ready for action by August 9.

Austin encouraged participation in the budget process for next year.

"We will ask for public input into the budget process and encourage comments and suggestions. We welcome those suggestions in case we have missed something," he said.

Austin went on to state, "If you do not give us any suggestions and comments for the process, don't come up later before the commissioners and criticize what we have done."

The commission discussed two items of new business during the work session, with a vote to be taken during the evening session.

A memorandum of understanding between the county and the Paulding Amateur Radio Emergency Service, in effect since at least 2005, needs to be updated. The agreement is for emergency communication services for purposes of disaster preparedness.

Austin said that if the plan went into effect, the radio operators would be working with the county emergency preparedness office. A plus for this plan is that the radio operators are able to communicate even when power is down in the area.

There was also a discussion of Resolution 11-11, a supplemental intergovernmental agreement to allow the sale of bonds totaling $8.4 million.

The Board of Commissioners approved a measure on March 22 to move forward, but will be receiving more information in the meeting tonight regarding interest rates on the bonds. At that time, a decision will be made about approval to adopt this resolution.

Commissioner Tommie Graham pointed out that money raised from the bonds must be spent on projects listed in the resolution and that an audit will be conducted to ensure compliance.

One bid award was discussed, the award of the 2011 Dabbs Bridge Road at Harmony Grove Church Road Intersection Improvement Project. Purchasing Director Jennifer Alford reported that seven bids were received, with Baldwin Paving submitting the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $166,194.14.

Alford recommended approval of the bid and the board will take action on the request in tonight's meeting.

With all 12 grades now in operation at the North Paulding High School campus, traffic problems have grown and this project will provide relief. More than 5,000 cars pass through the intersection each day and the four-way stop does not push cars through at a fast enough rate.

The current four-way stop will be replaced with a traffic signal and turn lanes by the time school starts next year.

Austin indicated that school officials had just asked about the project yesterday during the ongoing monthly meetings conducted by the board chair and the school superintendent.

The board is also considering a consent agenda item that would appoint Velma Freeman and Gail Lawrence to the Paulding County Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term beginning July 1.

Austin said that both are teachers and would be good selections.

There were two special recognitions during the morning session.

Lt. Steve Garner was presented with the Public Safety Award for outstanding performance with the Paulding County Fire Department.

A Special Needs Awareness Proclamation for the month of May was presented to Leslie Ashworth.

Harbor House takes children out of harm's way and keeps them from having to sit on the stand and testify during court proceedings.

Graham said that Paulding is very fortunate to have Harbor House and that prior to its existence, kids from Paulding had to be taken to Rome by police car.

Those interested in assisting Harbor House can make contributions on a one-time basis or on a monthly basis when paying the county water bill.

Jody Martin brought the board up to date about activities underway at Paulding County Today, Channel 23.

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