County holds private budget talks; for first time in four years, early ...

While the attention of voters — and reporters — has been focused on this year's political campaigns, Barrow County officials have been quietly working behind the scenes on a challenging county budget for the upcoming fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. For the first time in four years, the meetings of county commissioners and top administrative staff have been closed. That apparently was the preference of chief financial officer Rose Kisaalita, who skirted the requirements of the Georgia Open Meetings Act — which requires all committee meetings of public agencies to be open — by renaming the "Budget Committee" a "Budget Group."

For the full story, read the Barrow Journal's July 18 edition.