County Commission’s work budget calls for cuts from programs

The Stephens County Commission had a called budget work session yesterday morning.

Two commissioners were absent, however, commissioners Debbie Whitlock, Michelle Ivester and Dennis Bell agreed upon a 5 percent salary increase for full-time county employees and a 2 percent increase for part time employees.

They also have in the proposed budget a 3.5 percent retirement match and coverage of the increase in insurance for their employees.

The commission also discussed where they will have to make cuts in the budget. They agreed upon cutting parts of the requested budgets for the library, development authority, humane shelter, cost of a new senior center bus, the sheriff’s office, Northeast Georgia Community Concert, the rec department and Meals on Wheels program.

Commissioner Whitlock said they don’t want to cut budgets for these programs, but with the current financial situation, they have to make decisions that will allow them to take care of their employees.

“I am just trying to do what I think is best for this county,” said Whitlock. “Our employees have got to be paid and our taxpayers that are paying for all this need to have some relief, and we’ve got programs that are wants, not needs. If money has to come out, and money does have to come out because of the financial situation, that’s where it comes from. And it’s going to hurt, but our employees have been hurt for years.”

The commissioners also discussed increasing the millage rate by one mill.

Commissioner Bell explains why he believes a millage increase is necessary.

“We need to raise it one mill, at least. We need to raise it one mill and leave it alone,” said Bell. “Because if we continue to go up and down on it, it won’t do anything but hurt us and it’s not hurting us, it’s hurting our employees and that’s who we need to take care of.”

The first public hearing on the proposed FY18 budget will be next Tuesday during their regularly scheduled June meeting.