GAINESVILLE - Hall County commissioners saw a balanced FY 2009 budget Thursday night that calls for no tax rate increase - even a slight decrease - but there were still some issues raised about the document.
The $112 million spending plan is tight, capital expenses excluded, and includes a 12-month hiring freeze for all departments.
The proposed tax rate is .01 mills lower than this year's.
Attorney Ashley Bell, a candidate for the commission seat now held by Deborah Mack, appeared before the commission and asked that health insurance be dropped for part time members of the tax assessors board. Bell is also the attorney for two former members of the board who have alleged that board chairman Emory Martin billed the county for work that he did not perform.
Commission Chairman Tom Oliver is not sure that's a budget issue right now.
"With that tax assessor being under review, and with different levels of government throughout the state, I think right now we're going to wait until we get some information back," Oliver said.
Hall County Tax Payers Association President Doug Aiken called for more budget cuts and a stronger fund balance or reserve fund for the county.
Commissioner Steve Gailey said he wanted to see more budget cutting, but joined other commissioners in commending Finance Director Michaela Thompson and her staff for their work.
The commission has set final budget adoption for June 26.
Thursday
October 17th, 2024
8:30PM
