BUDGET CUTS

Other counties are cutting and deeply.  Jasper County will have to.  According to the financials for December 2008, the County spent $1.4 million more than it brought in.  At 12/31/08 there was about $608,000 in the bank; compare that to 12/31/07 when there was $4.1 million in the bank.  The shortfall that this Board started the year with now appears to be more than the $1.5 million predicted.  See December 2008 financials here:  Financial Statements

 
Even with these figures staring at us, the County Manager suggested no meaningful cuts.  He suggested that the “contingency fund” be used as a cut--$208,000.  This is the amount put into the budget for emergencies and is not something expected to be spent in the first place.  He also suggested that instead of buying equipment/vehicles outright, we just borrow the money and pay for them over 3 years.  These are not direct cuts that would aid in cutting the budget or current costs being incurred.

 
After hearing about these “cuts”, the BOC heard from the CFO.  When he was asked  what the BOC should do, there were no suggestions other than taxes should have been raised.  When questioned about the amount of the current (2009) budget, the CFO said he didn’t know what the amount was.  Of course his job centers totally around the budget and expenses applied to that budget.  The financial presentation was unproductive and uninformative. 

 
The staff has not implemented any cost cutting suggestions made by the Commissioners.  The Commissioners will now have the task of making the necessary spending cuts to keep Jasper County from serious impending deficits.  Other counties and cities as well as the State are struggling and cutting.

See the following articles:
http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news946406.html
City of Rome preparing for deeper budget cuts

 http://newmedia.covnews.com/news/article/5682
Newton County faces $5.3 million shortfall--Staff reductions or furloughs highly likely

 http://www.jacksonprogress-argus.com/main.asp?SectionID=51&SubSectionID=&ArticleID=1830
Three Butts County positions cut with new plan

 OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

1.   Jasper County Water/Sewer Authority asked that the BOC continue the Special Tax for hydrants charged on tax bills of those within 1000’ of a fire hydrant or put the amount they request in the general fund and let all taxpayers help pay their debts.  This will be on the agenda March 2^nd for a vote.  If you have comments, please send them to me.

2.  The BOC approved the authorization to apply for an Ambulance Grant.  Cost of ambulance approximately $105,000 with the county picking up $30,000 and the grant $75,000.

 3.  The proposals for a new County Attorney were narrowed to two.  Interviews will be conducted at the March 2^nd meeting.  The current attorney did not submit a bid.

 4.  An amendment to the Logging Ordinance to include re-inspection fees, gravel on the road beds to keep damage to the county dirt roads at a minimum, and no logging while it is raining were some items discussed.  There will be a public hearing March 2^nd on these proposed amendments.

 5.  The new Animal Control Policies were not ready.  After many attempts to bring the Animal Control Officer under the County Manager instead of the P&Z Director, it has finally been accomplished.  Policies from other counties are being looked at to aid in solving some of Jasper’s problems.

 6.  A New Tax Bill format was suggested and approved.  There will be an insert in the bill showing where your tax dollar is being spent.  This is something I have wanted to see myself each year I receive my tax bill and it should be an eye opener for everyone.

7.  The BOC approved a resolution asking that the Tax Commissioner start collection proceedings on any  delinquent tax bills as soon as they become 12 months past due. 

 8.  The County Telephone & Internet Service is costing approximately $5900 a month.  Many departments have 4, 5 and more lines.  The Clerk of Courts and the BOC office both have 10 lines being billed to them.  Some lines don’t appear to be used and no department should need that many lines; most should need only a telephone line and a fax line.  The BOC asked Betty Moon, County Clerk, to see how many lines can be eliminated thus bringing down the cost to the County.