Stephens Co. Approves FY 16 Budget

Stephens County Commissioners set the county government’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

On Tuesday, the county commission voted 4 to 1 to approve the budget for the fiscal year that starts on July 1.

That budget totals about $21.62 million overall.

About $12.97 million of that is in the general fund budget, which is about $70,000 more than what was budgeted for the current fiscal year.

Stephens County Commission Chair Dennis Bell said he is pleased with the final budget that the commission adopted.

“I believe that our department heads will do a good job staying within their budgets,” said Bell. “I cannot say enough for our administration up here that worked so hard on it.”

The county’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget also calls for a .25 mill decrease in the county’s millage rate, which would take it from 13.66 to 13.41 mills.

Commissioner Michelle Ivester voted against the budget and cited the millage rate as the reason.

She said that she does not feel this is the year the county needs to do a millage rate decrease.

“The way we had to increase it last year, I just do not think now is the time,” said Ivester. “There are just too many uncertainties. I just do not want to be back at the table next year, having to up it for another reason. I just do not feel comfortable right now with any kind of decrease.”

Ivester also said the decrease will have very little effect on a homeowner with a $100,000 home for example.

She said that for someone with a $100,000 home, the millage rate decrease would only translate to about $10 in savings on a yearly tax bill, while the county would lose about $140,000 in revenue.

However, Bell said he feels the millage rate decrease is important, no matter the size.

“I am a firm believer that even though it is just .25 mills that we can give back, if we can give back to the citizens, I am a firm believer that we should help,” said Bell. “That is where I stand on it.”

Other commissioners said they agree that the decrease is important, even if it is a small one.

The county’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget also includes a two-percent cost-of-living increase for county employees.

Bell said that is something he is glad the county was able to do.

“We have some really good employees in Stephens County,” said Bell, who praised their work ethic. “I wish we could do more for them, but we cannot at this time.”

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said that the county was able to increase the general fund budget while also decreasing the millage rate despite a drop in the tax digest thanks to savings seen in this fiscal year that are being carried over to cover costs next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Stephens County Volunteer Fire Coordinator Stacy Pulliam spoke to commissioners on the budget. He said that the volunteer fire departments appreciate the support the county gives them each year, but asked them to remember the fire departments and their needs in future budget years.

While the county commission has approved the budget with the lower millage rate factored in, the commission will have to vote separately on the final millage rate.

That vote typically happens in the next month or so.