Gwinnett’s $1.6B budget includes 136 new positions

Gwinnett County on Monday unveiled its final proposed 2009 budget that calls for $1.6 billion in spending and adding 136 new positions, all in public safety.

Despite additional cuts made to the original budget proposed in December, the county is facing a revenue shortfall of about $62 million, said Jock Connell, county administrator. Without an economic turnaround, he said he didn’t see any way to avoid raising the millage rate on property.

The budget reflects declining revenues in property and sales tax, but maintains an emphasis on public safety and quality of life, Connell said.

Gwinnett County has reduced the millage rate on property almost 4 mills over the past 12 years. While the county’s tax rate on property has fallen 26 percent over that time, the cost for groceries and utilities has climbed by double digits, said Chad Teague, budget and administration director.

Among the budget’s major cost-saving initiatives are:

• Deferring helicopter replacement: $3 million.

• Outsourcing of work: $3.5 million.

• Reducing vehicle replacement charges: $3.9 million.

The county also plans to increase revenue by $6.5 million by raising fees for things such as Red Cross training, business licenses, mail fees for vehicle tags and gas leak emergency response.

In all, the county has eliminated about 120 positions, and a hiring freeze remains in effect until at least July.

“This was an unusual and especially difficult process,” said County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister.