2006-2007 County BudgetIn accordance with the provisions of Chapter 81 (Budgets and Audits) of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., County Manager Edward L. Sealover presented the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, to the members of the Habersham County Commission on May 31, 2006. Following a public hearing on June 5, 2006, the budget was adopted on June 19, 2006. The report follows: The total of all budgeted Funds is $19,698,138. That is an overall increase of $273,726. The proposed General Fund budget would increase by $748,493 or 5.02 percent over the amount approved last June 20. The recommended millage rates would remain at 8.548 (unincorporated); 9.348 (incorporated); and 0.575 Indigent Care. These were the rollback rates for the current fiscal/tax year. The following table breaks down the budget as approved: 2006-2007 County Budget
The Law Library and Hotel/Motel Tax Special Fund budgets are "new." The E-911 Special Fund is considerably higher than the current years (13percent) reflecting the cash amount of equipment to be acquired and financed through lease purchase. At the same time, the imposition of the surcharge on cell phones and cost reductions have enabled the General Fund subsidy to be reduced by just over $100,000. The same can be said for the 54percent increase in the Landfill Enterprise Fund: the full cost of equipment to be acquired and financed through lease purchase. This is a self-sustaining Fund. A modest amount ($59,300) is transferred to the General Fund to reimburse for indirect costs. The Indigent Care Special Fund drops by approximately $1,100,000. Accumulated balances have been transferred to the Hospital Authority. The Water Enterprise Fund is up by 9percent. This is due primarily to an increase in the cost of water purchased and the addition of a part-time employee to separate the duties of billing and collection as requested by the independent auditor. However, the General Fund subsidy is down slightly ($2,800). The Public Transit Special Fund is essentially the same as this year. The Capital Improvements Fund has decreased by approximately $162,000 or 15percent. Its not unusual for an ebb and flow in a Fund of this sort. Jail Special Fund spending in FY 06-07 will be considerably less. It had accumulated a significant residual balance. A substantial portion of it was expended for facility improvements in this fiscal year. The personnel complement (all Funds) would increase by a net of 7.75 fulltime equivalent (FTE) positions. Of that amount, 5.75 FTEs are in public safety related operations. I have recommended appropriation of $136,000 in Fund Balance. This is approximately 2.3percent of the projected Balance available this coming July 1. It would be utilized to replace/upgrade the HVAC system at the Roper Drive facility and provide the Countys share of the cost to revise and update the Comprehensive Plan. Both are non-recurring expenses. Utilization in this manner is consistent with the Boards Fund Balance Policy. The Fund Balance Analysis which accompanies the proposed budget estimates the amount available on July 1 at approximately $5.8 million an increase of around $400,000. Your Policy requires maintenance of an amount no less than 17percent of General Fund operating expenditures. Thats roughly $2.5 million. The Commissions priority in the proposed spending plan for FY 2006-07 is Public Safety. As such, funding has been provided to:
The Board continues to add employees to the Sheriff's Office. This is also the second year that Patrol Deputies received a salary adjustment above the countywide cost of living allowance. In the current year it averaged 10percent and other Sheriff law enforcement employees got a 5-7percent increase. Firefighters received a 15percent increase this year in addition to the inflationary raise. The cost of living adjustment for other than Sheriff's Office employees will be 4.1percent in the upcoming fiscal year. Through the Capital Improvements Fund, Jail Fund and the several SPLOSTS, better than $500,000 will be spent on vehicles, equipment and facility improvements for the Sheriff, Jail, Fire Department, and EMS. In conclusion, I believe the proposed FY 2006-07 Budget not only maintains essential services, administered in an efficient manner, but also provides for programmatic expansion in areas needed, primarily Public Safety. It is cognizant of the Countys economic characteristics. Stabilization of the tax burden continues. And, County employees are treated fairly in terms of compensation and benefits. |
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