County still contending with $3.5 million funding gap for FY2013; Worley presents options of tax rate hikes, raiding reserves

Five weeks from the start of the new fiscal year, Barrow County officials are trying to close what — at least on paper — is a $3.5 million funding gap. Potentially putting at risk his re-election to the District 3 seat on the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Steve Worley told the budget committee that he had decided it is more important to do what is best for the county than to win re-election. The committee’s next two meetings are scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, and 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27.
Before presenting his options, Worley asked if any other committee members had come up with possible solutions to fill that gap. When no one spoke up, he dove in.
•“Plan A” would raise the ad valorem tax rate enough to match this year’s funding levels for operations and then cover the remaining $1 million shortfall from cash reserves.
•“Plan B” would include the same tax rate hike but pull out only $688,388 in reserves, and then create a dedicated revenue stream for the radio system’s annual debt payment with an ad valorem rate hike of one-fourth of one mill.
•“Plan C” would include adoption of the same “revenue neutral” tax rate hike, use of $668,000 in reserves, and adoption of a 1-mill ad valorem tax rate increase earmarked only for capital purchases.
For the full story, see the Aug. 22 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Honorable man- working man on 08/22/12 at 06:17 PM [Reply]

Worley done the honorable thing here, at least he's trying and coming up with good ideas to try to help solve the problem. Everyone else is just cheap talk. Keep up the good WORK Worley. You have my vote.

#2 John Birch on 08/23/12 at 06:13 AM [Reply]

What not just tell all government workers in the county that the gravy train has been derailed now for about five years and this calls for salary reductions of 10% across the board? Tell the teachers and school admins that the money tree keeping them in high cotton has died and they need 15-18% reductions on pay.

#2.1 Barrow is a GOB(Not GOP) Party County on 08/23/12 at 08:31 AM [Reply]

Less Government, less taxes...

Why that sounds like a Republican based solution. And it would work in a GOP run economy but this is a GOB(Not GOP) county.

But, Given that the majority of private sector jobs have been driven out of the County. (only 7500 Private sector jobs in a county of ~75,000 residents). And the largest employer in the county is the government(Public School System)?

They have no choice but go see how much more they can drain from the Cash Cows(Property Owners).

How's that GOB(Not GOP) Party working for you Barrow?

#2.1.1 John Galt on 08/23/12 at 02:02 PM [Reply]

It seems odd that your figures are so off, compared to the US Census figures for the last date reported, which shows private non-farm employment at over 12,000.

Additionally, in most smaller populated (non metro) counties, the local school systems are almost always one of the major employers, so it's no surprise that Barrow's school system is a major employer.

It seems the percieved Good Ole Boys would want more business, not drive off what business is here. Wouldn't that be right?

#2.1.1.1 More from the "Status Quo" Pulpit on 08/24/12 at 06:31 AM [Reply]

Barrow is the definition of Crony capitalism and rotting effect on the local economy.

Crony capitalism is a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. When political cronyism spills over into the business world; self-serving friendships and family ties between businessmen and the government influence the economy and society to the extent that it corrupts public-serving economic and political ideals.

Don't you think the county would be better off if Barrow was run as

"Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." Ronald Reagan

vs.

From the "Official Barrow County web site"

State of the County...

"... a place where taxes are a shared cost of living and the burden of funding ..."

A place were the government's petty grips and inside deals are funded by and for the elected arrogance no matter how much it costs.

Really, Barrow, How is that GOB(Not GOP) party working for you?

#2.1.1.1.1 Joe on 08/24/12 at 08:09 AM [Reply]

I looked up that quote on the county website, and it seems you left off the rest of the quote from the words you selected - "Barrow County, the place to live, work, play, and retire, a people involving themselves in their community, a people believing in balanced, quality growth and support for services and infrastructure, and a place where taxes are a shared cost of living and the burden of funding an efficient, functional, responsive government is diversified by the efforts of the people. Barrow County: where people believe in themselves."

I've lived here a long time. I've met and gotten to know many businesses here, both Winder and Statham. You are throwing out accusations that, if you have proof, facts need to be put on the table. Somewhere else were references about The Peoples Bank and Larry's Easy Pay. The government didn't keep them afloat - consumers did. And the government didn't stop doing business with them to take them down - the economy did.

If it's illegal, turn them in. If it's unethical, expose them with facts. If it's opinion, then be upfront and state that it is.

#2.1.1.1.1.1 The GOP tenet is that "government doesn't create jobs" on 08/24/12 at 09:07 AM [Reply]

The GOP tenet is that "government doesn't create jobs"

The local economy only supports 7500 (sorry John, 12000) jobs out of some 75000 (10% to 16%) are in the private sector. The largest employer is the GOVERNMENT. A government who's main concerned is the regulation of the private sector to the point of strangulating any growth in the private sector.

New business has been driven off by the local elected...

New private sector jobs go anywhere but Barrow...

So, if the GOP tenet is that "government doesn't create jobs" but the GOB reality in Barrow is that its major employment base is the government. How can a healthy economy possibly survive in an environment a built on regulating not growing opportunity.

How can the GOP party in the county be anything but a GOB(Not GOP) party. A drunken party for the Connected with the empty beer bottles (Winder's empty store fronts, No Major private sector employers, Bottom feeder business (Buy Here Pay Here, Pawn, Title Pawn), etc...) littering the county and emptying the host's (tax payers) pockets.

Barrow, Just, How is that GOB(Not GOP) party working for you?

#2.1.1.1.1.2 BTW Joe, Your explicit example of Cronyism on 08/24/12 at 11:43 AM [Reply]

BTW, You wanted an example. So, Here is your explicit example of Cronyism...

I know its only Winder, but is very recent because I won't want you to say "Ho that was so long ago..."

Winder Billing Investigation: Former employee charged with felony theft
Posted by
Susan Norman
in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives
Thursday, July 19. 2012

GBI starts Winder probe
Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives
Wednesday, June 20. 2012

GBI asked to probe former Winder billing director
Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives
Wednesday, June 6. 2012

Graham resigns as Winder consultant after new administration quizzes billings
Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives
Wednesday, June 6. 2012

#2.1.1.1.1.2.1 Joe on 08/24/12 at 06:11 PM [Reply]

Your definition of "Crony capitalism" says "Crony capitalism is a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. When political cronyism spills over into the business world; self-serving friendships and family ties between businessmen and the government influence the economy and society to the extent that it corrupts public-serving economic and political ideals."

Where is the close relationship between business people and government officials? You cite billing directors being probed - where is the connection between government and business? You cite Graham's resignation - where is the connection between government and business?

If you want to discuss irregularities with the former billing director, call it what it is - irregularities, possibly illegal. But where is the connection between government and business?

#2.1.1.1.1.2.1.1 it corrupts public-serving economic and political ideals. on 08/24/12 at 09:50 PM [Reply]

it corrupts public-serving economic

Empty store fronts...

Trapped in a property with ever decreasing value...

Driving forever to get to work, because there are no jobs out side of Dead END Fast Food and Big Box Retail...

Traffic blocking downtown Winder, not to stop and buy but rather just driving through Barrow...

and political ideals - GOP (Less Government,
Less Taxes, the freedom to fail or succeed without the BOC's blessing)

The never ending parking lot fight that is our BOC...

A BOC that can not wait to add more regulation on small business...

A BOC willing, ready and able to run off any new business it wants... No matter HOW MUCH IT COSTs

Waiting for the BOC to raise your taxes, because of its short sighted leadership to lazy to see the need to plain for a long coming federal regulation.

Saying it isn't so or playing word games (billing inconsistency vs theft) may work in your head,

But, The economy is coming back in a big way in every direction AWAY from Barrow. While the County continues to rot around Winder and the County Annex.

#2.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/24/12 at 10:46 PM [Reply]

I'm calling BS on this. I've read this thread all the way down, and while there may be a shard of truth, it's only a shard, a sliver.

Let's take it point by point:

Empty store fronts - absolutely. Yet it is a problem of small towns nationwide. Does that mean every small town with empty storefronts has the same crony capitalism as Winder? Doubtful.

Trapped in property of ever decreasing value - property EVERYWHERE is decreasing in value. Winder's not unique.

Driving forever ........ - Barrow County has more jobs than Oconee, similar in number to Jackson. Ask those who work for Manville, Chico's, Rhodia, Stepan, Anderson Mdsrs, etc, about their NON-dead end jobs. Ask Trinity Rail, who just moved BACK into Barrow County, abou their dead end jobs. You, sir, are wrong about dead end jobs in Barrow.

Traffic blocking Winder.... - Been that way for years. No crony capitalism in play here. During Winder's go-go years traffic was that way. Nothing different there.

Political ideals - never seen the BOC give their blessing to any business.

The neverending ........ - Okay, the BOC is dysfuntional. Admitted there.

A BOC that can not wait to add ..... - Other than the issue with the home healthcare/nursing care raised earlier this year, this board hasn't delved into regulations governing businesses.

A BOC willing, ready and able to run off any new business it wants - If you have proof, provide it. Otherwise, rumor, innuendo, and guesswork doesn't cut it. You said it, prove it.

Regarding the jibberish on raising taxes because "of its short sighted leadership to lazy to see the need to plain for a long coming federal regulation.", okay, whatever.

Finally (whew), on the economy coming back in a big way everywhere AWAY from Barrow - You'd better inform the world about this, as it's news to them. Shocking, I'd say. Shocking. The economy is NOT coming back in a big way everywhere. I say again. NOT. Don't think so? Just check GDP. Sales. Profits. Europe, far East, USA are all still stalled. Big way? Nope.

#2.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/25/12 at 08:21 AM [Reply]

An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes. Thomas Jefferson

I don't intend to sway the GOB party types... They will always find excuses for their failures rather then solutions to your problems.

All I'm asking is Barrow,

How's that GOB(NOT GOP) party working for you?

#2.2 Most Government workers on 08/23/12 at 07:14 PM [Reply]

A large percentage of government workers were still making peanuts back when all the fat cat developers & builders were making literally millions. They got greedy, thought it would never end & now most are broke. You see, government workers knew when they went to work for the government that they would never become rich, they would rather be conservative and took the abuse and bullying from the private sector. Now the developers want pity. I don't feel sorry for most of them.

#3 Anonymous on 08/24/12 at 07:36 PM [Reply]

They can't earmark money. They can't bind future commissions. They can't dedicate part of a M & O millage to a specific use.

What? Who do they think they are trying to fool. Simply put there is not enough money to do what they want to do. Raise the millage rate. Say what you are doing. Have the public hearings. Take a vote and stand on the truth:

The Republican contract not to raise taxes is a farse!!!!

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County still contending with $3.5 million funding gap for FY2013; Worley ...

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County still contending with $3.5 million funding gap for FY2013; Worley presents options of tax rate hikes, raiding reserves

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