Cobb County commissioners completed an intense two-day retreat on Oct. 30 and 31 to tackle issues concerning the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
Commissioners learned that additional health-care costs and other items could push next year’s shortfall to around $30 million, according to a county statement.
Cobb County Chairman Mike Boyce said on Oct. 31, “We’re basically nine or 10 months ahead of where we usually are when it comes to developing a budget for this county. Today we’ve done something that hasn’t been done in the past as far as having something in October for a fiscal year that starts 10 months from now.”
Boyce vowed to hold town hall meetings in early 2018 to receive budget input from Cobb residents.
During the two-day budget retreat at the Austell Threadmill Complex, commissioners discussed budget priorities for the coming years and how to fund them.
While no final decisions were made, Boyce said he has enough input to start putting together a budget proposal by early next year.
Commissioner Bob Weatherford said getting out in front of the budget will give citizens a clear idea of what is ahead.
“Everything is on the table,” Weatherford said. “If it is something you consider essential, then we have to pay for it and you can help us support whatever it takes to do that.”
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