Quiet First Public Hearing on FY 17 Budget

Stephens County Commissioners have a quiet first public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

No one from the public spoke Tuesday morning at the initial public hearing.

During the public hearing, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers presented a summary of the proposed budget.

The total Fiscal Year 2017 proposed general fund budget for Stephens County is just under $13.6 million, which is 1 percent higher than the projected Fiscal Year 2016 ending general fund budget of $13.43 million.

It proposes to keep the millage rate at 13.41 mills.

Also, it proposes a six percent raise to those county employees making $15 or less an hour, a four percent raise to those making between $15.01 and $20 an hour, and a two percent raise to those making more than $20 an hour.

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said last week those raises are designed to help employees deal with a rise in the county’s health insurance premiums.

County commissioners, meanwhile, have decided to take another look at the proposed budget.

They have scheduled a called budget retreat for Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport.

The county commission is expected to vote on the budget at its next meeting on June 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Prior to any vote on the budget, there will be a second reading and public hearing on the proposed budget.