Can Clayton lure new businesses?
A few new businesses are trickling into Clayton County. At a time when much of the attention is focusing on problems in the school system, it’s refreshing to learn new jobs are being created. Read my latest blog entry on Wordpress
Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2009 > March > 09
Monday, March 9, 2009
Time to raise taxes?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Less than one year ago our board of commissioners believed county finances were stable and passed a $168 million budget with no tax increase or service cuts.
Now Chairman Eldrin Bell “guestimates” Clayton to be at least $17 million dollars in the red.
An annual audit is currently being performed and should be completed this month.
As per news reports, this shortfall is due to alleged fiscal mismanagement by the county finance department, which led to the loss of state grant funds. Despite the deficit, commissioners recently attended a conference in Washington D.C. at taxpayer expense.
“As a taxpayer, I would like a full accounting of how our money has been spent, by whom, when and where, with an assurance this will not happen again, says Pamela Noah, one of several residents who have asked the BOC to conduct a forensic audit. “Mr. Bell has been quoted saying one thing and other commissioners are saying something else. I want to know the truth and how the p ublic’s money is being managed.”
The BOC recently ordered all county departments to cut three percent from their budgets, and according to Finance Committee Chair Wole Ralph there will be no layoffs or cuts in residential services. But a three percent cut to the police and sheriff department budgets will undoubtedly affect our quality of life. While I don’t want to see anyone lose their job, given a choice I’d prefer not to lose any public safety services. While our BOC has successfully kept taxes low, some residents believe raising taxes would be the fastest and most efficient way to solve many of Clayton’s ills.
. What do you think? Would you be willing to pay higher taxes if it would get us back on track financially, and improve Clayton’s overall quality of life?
Permalink | Comments (55) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
