City BOE lowers expected tax rate, tentatively adopts budget

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville school board members approved a tentative budget Monday night, as well as a lower-than-expected tax rate hike, as a taxpayer audience of 300-400 looked on.

Board members hope to plug in proposed budget cuts and more revenue before final adoption in two weeks.

The board adopted expenditures at $53.2 million with a tentative mill rate at 7.62, less than the projected 8.34 mills but more than last year's 6.96 mills, for maintenance and operation.

Board member David Syfan said he made the motion to approve the tentative budget with its 7.62 mills.

"Hopefully we'll be able to reduce the budget where we will not have to assess the maximum millage," Syfan said.

Syfan said the 7.62 option looked the best for softening the blow on taxpayers with timely disposal of the system's $6 million deficit.

Board member Sammy Smith cast the lone dissenting vote, saying there were too many unanswered questions, mostly about where the budget cuts are.

"I'm sure hopeful that some or many of the budget cuts that we've submitted can still be worked into that," Smith said.

CALLS FOR CHANGE

People who spoke at the meeting called for a change at the top, among them, State Rep. Carl Rogers.

Rogers said unless there is a change in system leadership and a push toward responsible financial management, Gainesville Schools could disappear.

"We've got to have a change to turn this ship around or there's a push to dissolve the city school system," Rogers said.

Rogers said a simple legislative act could do it and let Hall County take it over with enough support from taxpayers who feel the system is no longer affordable with its multi-million dollar deficit.

Bill Morrison was among those who asked how and why the system produced the giant deficit.

"If I were in charge of a bank and I overspent $5 million, do you think I'd keep my job?" he asked.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/6/210859