BOC to vote on 2009 budget

The economic downturn has had a significant impact on next year's budget.

Among the items left unfunded for next year are $1.8 million in capital purchases and 45 requested positions including additional staff for the county’s ladder truck, additional courthouse security personnel and additional staff for the Superior Court. The county has also eliminated all non-required travel and training for the upcoming fiscal year.

Chief Administrator Keith Lee said the cuts were necessary due to decreased county revenues.

For 2008, the county has experienced a 62 percent decline in new housing permits, a ten percent decline in rezones and a 17 percent decline in revenues from fees related to legal instruments such as deeds.

To help offset some of the revenue reduction, the county will be considering a stormwater utility fee of $20 per household and a monthly 911 charge of $1.50 on wireless and Voice-Over –Internet-Provider (VOIP) bills.

Additionally, 13 vacant positions will be left unfilled and county employees will be limited to a 2.5 percent pay increase in the upcoming year.

In January, one full time position in leisure services, a part-time position at the senior center and a part time position in the finance department will be eliminated. The reductions and unfilled jobs will reduce the ratio of employees to residents from 8.07 employees per every 1,000 residents in 2008 to 7.46 employees per 1,000 residents in 2009.

Lee said the millage rate for the upcoming year will remain unchanged. The county has proposed a rate of 7.182 mils for Winder residents and 9.338 mils for residents outside the city limits.

The total recommended budget for 2009 is $37.6 million or a .5 percent increase over 2008. The 2009 budget includes $26.7 million in salaries and benefits, $7.2 million in operating expenses, $944,000 in capital expenses and $2.5 million in other expenses.

A public hearing on the budget was held Thursday, September 18.