Vote Due Tuesday on Cobb Budget

The is set to vote Tuesday on the 2012 budget, which includes a tax increase to make up a possible $33 million deficit.

The county raised the rate from 9.6 mills to 11.11 mills for the year that ends Sept. 30. Tax bills went out in mid-August.

On a $140,000 to $160,000 house, the increase averages $82.67 per year. On a $190,000 to $210,000 home, the increase averages $111.66 per year.

Property taxes make up 58 percent of the county's general fund. With the tax increase, the county is able to fill some public safety positions that were frozen, said Jim Pehrson, the county's finance director.

"It gives us some breathing room," Pehrson said.

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

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, the county’s .

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.

Since May 1, county employees have been forced to take five unpaid days off to help balance the current budget.

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

The proposed budget also doesn't include any layoffs, but it does increase some fees and reduce some services, among other cost-saving measures.

Library hours have been cut, as have hours at the aquatic centers, county spokesman Robert Quigley said. In personnel, 66 unfilled positions will be eliminated. The county is also looking to privatize the Cobblestone Golf Course, but it has failed to find a buyer for years.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners will consider raising water and sewer fees.

The director of the Cobb Water System has proposed a 6 percent increase in water rates for usage over 3,000 gallons and a 2 percent increase in sewer charges. The increases affect both residential and commercial users and would take effect Jan. 1.