With a deadline fast approaching, Fulton County commissioners still haven’t made tough budget decisions affecting library hours, meals for seniors and funding for Grady Memorial Hospital.
Commissioners are weighing millions of dollars in cuts to those and popular services against a property tax hike that could anger many residents as well as state lawmakers who say Fulton can’t raise taxes under a new state law.
On Wednesday commissioners discussed their options but were noncommittal about how they’ll balance their 2014 budget. Under state law, they have until the end of the month. They’ll meet again Monday to try to reach a consensus.
“As you can see from the debate, we’re kind of all over the place,” Chairman John Eaves said. “I’m very confident we’ll find some consensus between now and next week.”
Commissioners have no appealing options for balancing the proposed $569 million general fund budget, which pays for countywide services like courts, libraries and social services.
The proposed budget would cut about $57 million in spending. Among the reductions under consideration:
• Grady Hospital would lose half of its $50 million operating subsidy. Hospital officials say the move would force them to close neighborhood clinics, increase patient co-pays, limit access to specialty care and cut jobs.
• County libraries would close one to two days a week, even as Fulton opens three new libraries this year.
• The county would serve fewer meals to seniors, reduce hours at senior centers and cut other programs for the elderly.
Other social service programs, arts programs and other services also would see reductions. Another scenario under consideration would restore many of the social service cuts but reduce Grady’s subsidy to about $10 million.
But it’s possible none of those cuts will actually happen. Commissioners also are considering a range of property tax increases to restore the cuts to Grady and the other services. Two options discussed Wednesday would cost the owner of a $200,000 house an extra $65 or $110 this year.
Commissioners have heard plenty from advocates for various programs. On Tuesday 15 local groups – including the Georgia chapter of the American College of Physicians and the state chapter of the March of Dimes – urged commissioners to restore Grady funding in a letter to Chairman John Eaves. They said the proposed cut would hurt “the most vulnerable residents of Fulton County, many of whose lives we touch through our own work.”
On Wednesday advocates for the arts asked commissioners to restore $1.5 million in proposed cuts. And at recent meetings scores of seniors have urged commissioners to leave their programs untouched.
“I’m concerned about some of these people who don’t have a lot of money,” said Tom Umstead, who frequents the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Center in Sandy Springs. “They pay for lunch at the Benson Center. It’s the only hot meal they get.”
Commissioners seem reluctant to cut popular programs.
“This community cannot exist without a first-class medical institution, especially for those who are absolutely unable to get (health care) from any other source,” said Commissioner Tom Lowe, a longtime Grady supporter.
But some also oppose raising property taxes – something they haven’t done since 1991. Commissioner Robb Pitts said he wanted more information on budget options that don’t involve a tax hike.
Last year the General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting Fulton County commissioners from raising property taxes until 2015, and requiring a supermajority of commissioners to approve a tax hike thereafter. Commissioners later voted to repeal that legislation, citing their home rule powers. They say they can raise taxes if they choose.
But it’s unclear whether four of the seven commissioners are willing to move from “can” to “will.”
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