County tax hike looming?

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County tax hike looming?

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in News, Top Stories

Thursday, June 18. 2009

Comments (15)

Fewer Barrow County government employees were laid off this week than had been planned — 11 rather than the 25-35 expected.

While that may be good news for county employees, the lighter cuts means the county still faces a $1 million deficit this fiscal year, which ends September 30.

And county leaders are increasingly sounding like a property tax hike may happen this fall to fund the FY2010 budget that has a projected deficit of about $6 million even with these additional layoffs.

Barrow County Board of Commissioners chairman Danny Yearwood said this week he couldn’t cut enough positions required to fix that shortfall and continue to provide necessary services.

“I can’t stop services we need in Barrow County to try to get to the number we’re trying to get to,” he said. “Going into the new budget, I’ll know if we’ve got to raise taxes and what I’ve got to do to fund these (remaining) positions.”

While this week’s layoff actions were lighter than anticipated, Yearwood said Tuesday that additional salary cuts are coming and would be done on a case-by-case basis rather than across the board. In addition, he said he is tossing, for now, plans for additional furloughs that would have cost employees another eight hours of pay per month.

For the complete story about this week's county layoffs, see the June 17 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Defined tags for this entry: Barrow County Board of Commissioners, News, Top Stories

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#1 Anonymous on 06/18/09 at 12:15 PM [Reply]

And those that actually pay their taxes will pay more and those that don't will owe more.

You NEED TO COLLECT what's owed in BACK TAXES before you start thinking about raising mine

#2 Vox Populi on 06/18/09 at 12:17 PM [Reply]

If Yearwood raises property taxes, then he will be recalled.

#2.1 John Q Public on 06/18/09 at 10:37 PM [Reply]

Why didn't you want recall Doug Garrison when he raised property taxes and spent more money than was coming in even after raising your property taxes. And he stop the fire tax which was to support the fire department. and rolled the fire tax into the general fund. It amazing how little people remember. Maybe we should have Doug, Jerry Lampp, Bill Brown, and Roger Wehunt answer those questions. Instead of running around the county annex yelling I didn't know what I was voting for. It is time for answers but the current commission isn't the ones that caused this mess the others did and now is the time for answers. Maybe Doug will come back from his condo in Florida long enough to answer a few questions.

#3 anonymous on 06/18/09 at 03:44 PM [Reply]

What I would like to know if why those who opted to take retirement have to follow the 60-day notice rule. When you know you aren't going to replace the position and you're short on money, why would you keep someone on that has asked to retire? Doesn't make sense to me!

#3.1 anonymous on 06/19/09 at 06:52 PM [Reply]

I believe the County handbook requires an employee to submit a request for retirement 10 days before actual retirement. I don't understand where you got 60 days.

#4 Anonymous on 06/18/09 at 04:05 PM [Reply]

Collect back taxes before you raise mine! Maybe you could have a SALE on the Courthouse Steps!

#5 matt on 06/18/09 at 10:14 PM [Reply]

you would think there are some jobs that could be terminated like when there is a hole being dug and there are 5 people standing around supervising the hole digger

#6 C. M. Thornton, III on 06/19/09 at 09:40 AM [Reply]

As a owner of multiple tracts of land in Barrow County, I support a small rise in taxes. We simply need the money. Destroying the lives of county employees is not the answer. We have the lowest taxes in this region, and have for a long time. A tax increase is inevitable.

And I agree, Barrow needs to aggressively collect back taxes, even to the point of seizing and selling the property and assets of offenders.

#6.1 Lord Baltimore on 06/19/09 at 02:07 PM [Reply]

As an owner of multiple tracts of land in Barrow county, I oppose any increase in taxes. We simply don't "need" the money. Eliminating unnecessary positions isn't going to "destroy" anyone's life. This is not capital punishment; now THAT is "destroying" a life. When they took jobs, suckling at the government teat, these "workers" weren't promised lifetime appointments. This isn't the federal judiciary. I don't receive good service and responsive government for the taxes I already pay. A bunch of indolent louts won't be missed.

#6.1.1 C. M. Thornton, III on 06/23/09 at 11:14 AM [Reply]

You really need to spend some time with the employees of the various departments of the county government. They do a lot more work than you think. Make an appointment with any department head and spend the day with them. But that would force you to realize that they are "people" and not names "workers". All of the labor and services provided by county employees is what allows you to safely exist in this county. Someone maintains the roads, puts out the fires, helps the elderly, ensures the safety of structures, maintains the infrastructure, locks up the bad guys, keeps the predators off the street, etc. etc. Whether you want to admit it or not, you get excellent service for the low amount of taxes you pay. Barrow County enjoys the lowest taxes of any of the surrounding counties, and will still have the lowest rates, even with a small increase. As this county claws it's way out of the dark ages its going to cost money to maintain and/or improve the level of services we demand from the county government. A minority of older Barrow County residents may want to remain in the dark ages but the younger, majority of new residents do not.

#6.1.1.1 Henery Hawk on 06/23/09 at 11:58 PM [Reply]

No, I I don't "need" to spend any time with any of the so-called "workers." But, you feel free to waste as much of your time with your useless buddies as you desire. As for the "dark ages," that really makes me guffaw. Every administration from Holliday on has claimed that Barrow was in the Dark Ages, and his/her enlightened new leadership and (spending) was necessary to extract poor Barrow from the quagmire in which currently found itself submerged. Tax & spend never ends. And, it's always on silly unnecessary toys. and, BTW, exactly who is it that appointed you spokesman for the young, progressive newcomer Barrow residents (as opposed to those old bitter stick in the mud wizened nursing-home denizens)? Let me guess: You appointed yourself. Pardon me if I don't genuflect. I rarely do in the face of deluded "royalty."

#7 Anonymous on 06/19/09 at 09:59 AM [Reply]

Well you can see from "no comments being posted" that the taxpayers do not count.

#8 Robin on 06/19/09 at 06:06 PM [Reply]

Clean up you own house before you even talk about raising tax's. Check to see how many phone lines you are paying for that are not being used. Collect the tax's that are owed.

#8.1 Young enough to know on 06/21/09 at 09:42 AM [Reply]

Thank Eve Elder for starting to motion to lay employees off. Thank you for reading the bible and saying you were not sure what you voted for. Thank you Com Berry for being in Office and not sure as well what you voted for. Thank you Danny Yearwood for laying my mother off work. Thank you Norma Jean Brown for putting such a great county hand book together with pride. Thank you all for having no heart and enjoining your dinner and life and keeping my mothers 3 weeks PTO time that would have helped us a few weeks longer. Eva as you sit on your farm, Larry you enjoy your time in the American Legion , Danny and Worley as you conspire together. Sleep well as we sleep tossing and turning with aches of how we will make it. At least give my mom her owed money. Oh P.S NJB keep hiding behind your smile.

#8.1.1 I know... on 06/23/09 at 10:25 AM [Reply]

I agree give the county employees their PTO time. The earned it. Besides when they laid off the previous stormwater employess and the two from planning and zoning they were given their PTO time. That is wrong. Hand picking who gets it and who don't. I hope you all enjoy this term, it will be your last.

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