County Commission Approves FY 18 Budget

In a 3-1 decision with one commissioner absent, the Stephens County Commission approves the adoption of the FY 18 budget at last night’s meeting.

Finance Director Phyllis Ayers said there were no formal changes to the budget since their last meeting.

“Since our first public hearing, there have been no formal changes made to any of the numbers or the documents,” said Ayers. “Although we have verbally kicked around adding this and subtracting this, but I think after the chairman and I have talked, we think it would be easiest to go on and adopt  the document as it is and then amend as they year goes on if we wanted to look at adding another request that was not granted.”

With no new changes, the budget includes a five percent salary increase for full-time county employees, a two percent increase for part-time employees and the county will fund the increase in insurance coverage as well as provide a 3.5 percent retirement match for their employees.

Many programs also received budget cuts, including the library, rec department, humane shelter and many others. Commissioner Debbie Whitlock said she believes those programs will survive, even with the cuts.

The budget also includes a 1.5 millage increase and Whitlock adds that taxpayers won’t see a significant change in what they’re paying since the school board went down a mill.

“I’ve spoke with many people about this about a millage rate increase and what does that look like to the taxpayer,” said Whitlock. “And because the school board came down a mill and we’re going up 1.5, that’s really only a .5 increase.”

Commissioner Dean Scarbrough voted against the proposed budget, saying that he believes they’ll be back in this situation next year.

“I oppose and as I stated in the last meeting, I feel in one year, with the $746,000 from fund balance plus a mill increase, I think we’re biting off too much with a lot of the positions we’re adding,” said Scarbrough. “I wish there was a way to go through again because I’m in favor of raises but I can’t support the entire budget because I think we’re going to be right back in this same situation with a millage increase next year also.”

Commissioner Whitlock voiced her support of the budget, noting that difficult decisions were made.

“This has been very difficult,” said Whitlock. “I’ve spent a lot of time on this budget. I’ve spoken extensively with the commission, with the employees and department heads and our constitutional officers, trying to find a solution when revenues are down and our employees really need help right now. After trying to look at the bigger picture, I really do believe that we have to do something for our employees.”

Many county employees attended last night’s meeting in support of the approved budget.