Citizens Committee's Cuts Upset Residents

Cobb County's proposed fiscal 2012 budget doesn't include any furlough days for the county's 4,200 employees, or any layoffs.

But it does include some fee increases and service reductions, plus other cost-saving measures.

We are live at the public hearing on the budget, where a crowd is gathering.

Library hours have been cut as well as hours at the aquatic center. In personnel, 66 unfilled positions will be eliminated. The county is also looking to privatize the Cobblestone Golf Course.

 proposed general fund budget for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1, is expected to be about $4 million more than the current $317 million budget that was revised in April.

However, the $321.7 million proposal is $6.3 million less than the $328 million 2011 budget originally adopted last year. Commissioners had to implement five furlough days and other budget cuts in April to close a $27 million budget gap.

The commissioners voted 3-2 last month in favor of raising taxes to make up a possible $33 million deficit in the 2012 fiscal year.

Property taxes make up 58 percent of the county's general fund. With the tax increase, the county is able now to fill some public safety positions that were frozen, as well as additional monies for vehicle aquisitions.

The total proposed budget for next year is $723 million. The adopted budget for the current year was $720.6 million.

A vote will be taken at 9 a.m. on Sept. 13, to adopt a budget.

1:52 p.m. Room is packed with residents. Many are Master Gardeners upset about the proposed elimination of the Extension Service by the Citizens Oversight Committee. It's not, however, in the county's proposed budget to be cut.

2 p.m. Hearing begins with a presentation by Finance Director Jim Pehrson. 

2:03 p.m. He's showing how the county has cut services and programs. The county employees took five furlough days. 

2:05 Pehrson is showing what suggestions the Citizens Oversight Committee made in reference to cost cuts and increases in revenue. Those suggestions include raising fees and advertising on the CCT buses.

2:08 The county is looking at keeping health costs flat. Also looking to eliminate 66 open positions.

2:10 The county is trying to eliminate duplication of services and reorganize to run more efficiently.

2:12 The county is looking to create long-term strategic planning to get a better handle on finances.

2:14 Goals of the 2012 budget include maintaining current service levels, restoring funding for public safety, eliminating furloughs and eliminating open positions.

2:18 Pehrson is explaining the different funds that make up the operating budget for the county. He's going through the budget line by line.

2:23 He's almost done.

2:27 Chairman Tim Lee says there is no doubt that the county has to be differnt moving forward to keep costs in check. "We don't know what's in front of us."

2:30 He opens the public hearing with eight speakers signed up.

2:31 Tom Maloy is the first speaker. He says the 2012 budget is a significant increase in spending. The county shouldn't try and sell this budget as anything other than what it is. He says the county is being too optimistic about what property taxes will bring. "Your assumptions aren't realistic," he said.

2:35 Tucker Hobgood. The county should not be avoiding layoffs. How can the county justify an 18 percent increase in taxes when it hasn't considered layoffs? he said. Our budget has gone down, but not our head count, he said. All those people have to have health insurance etc. Every organization has people it can do without, he said.

2:38 Carol Hanak, president of county's Master Gardners. She asks those to stand who are here in support of the Extension Service. Most of the room gets up.

Pehrson says that the elimination of the extension service was something the Oversight Committee suggested, but is not currently in the budget to be cut.

There are 300 master gardners in the county. "Our members support continued funding of the extension office." Applause.

2:40 Debbie Abernathy. She is a master gardner. She is telling the commissioners all of the programs that the gardners provide. One of the main things is the community gardens. The group has a waiting list of folks who want more gardens. "Do not eliminate the extension service funding." Applause.

2:44 Bruce Gillet, master gardner. He supports continued support for the extension service. "You should be proud you have one of the best extension services in the state." Cobb is gettiing a good bang for their buck, he said. Applause.

2:48 Randy Threatte. She is also a master gardner. She gives the commission a list of volunteers programs they provide. If the extension service isn't funded, it will affect what UGA gives them financially. It would mean the end of the master gardners program, she said. Applause.

2:50 Linda Hlozansky, master gardner. She's a retired teacher and has volunteered hundreds of hours with the gardners in the last three years. She began a junior master gardner at an elementary school. Applause.

2:52 Julie Morris. Her children have been involved in 4H. Her children have benefited from the program and she doesn't know where else they could do anything similar.

Public Hearing Closed.

2:54 Lee says the board will consider comments and work on the budget. A vote will be taken Sept. 13.

Adjourned.