Commissioners Approves 2010 Final Budget PDF Print

Commissioner William "Bill" EdwardsJanuary 25, 2010

Fulton County Board of Commissioners Approves 2010 Final Budget
Budget Reflects No Tax Increase and No Salary Reductions for County Employees

At the Fulton County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, the County Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved the FY2010 General Fund Final Budget (see attached). With this budget, we were able to affirm our commitment to Fulton County citizens and, for the fourth year in a row, did not raise the millage rate. We were also able to stave off a 4% salary reduction for Fulton County employees as previously projected.

The County identified cost savings in several ways. County Manager Zachary Williams credits the Board of Commissioners with holding the line on spending. “Methods such as hiring freezes, reductions in positions, and investing in the jail, were key measures to assist us with reducing this budget,” stated Williams.

A key source of additional revenue was also due to Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand’s tax collection efforts.  Tax collections were in excess of the 86% that the County initially projected to remain fiscally conservative during the budget process.

During the meeting, we made additional allocations to several key County programs, including: $400,000 for senior home repair programs, specifically for residents in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Johns Creek $900,000 for equipment to streamline the absentee ballot process $1.3 million for justice system programs (including $800,000 for pre-trail services in Superior and State Courts, $426,000 for the Public Defender, and $150,000 for the Drug Court $750,000 for Human Services grants, earmarked for senior transportation and housing $750,000 for FRESH Grant programs aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and improving the health and wellbeing of young people $72,626 for an environmental planner, to strengthen the County’s commitment to environmentally conscious operations and services.

We also approved the FY2010 Budget for the South Fulton Special Services District Fund (Unincorporated South Fulton) with an ending fund balance of $260,487.00 (see attached).  The approval of this budget allowed us the opportunity to restore funding for eleven positions in the Fire Department; avoid a 4% reduction in salaries associated with paid holidays; and restore funding for code enforcement, erosion control, permitting and inspection activities.

I am grateful to each and every one of you for the confidence you place in me to be a part of a Board that was able to approve a budget that will have minimal impact on our citizens and employees, as well.

 

Vice Chair William “Bill” Edwards

District 7
SouthFultonGovernmentServiceCenter
5600 Stonewall Tell Road, Room 216
College Park, GA 30349
404-612-3278 (Direct)
770-306-3229 (FAX)

VIEW FY2010 BUDGET HERE