The difference between how much DeKalb County's CEO and the county commission want to spend in 2012 comes into sharp focus this week. One side sees a chance to increase spending. The other advises additional cuts.
Chief Executive Burrell Ellis released his amended budget late last week, concluding the county ended with $12 million more than he projected in his original December proposal. He wants to put $7 million of that in reserves and spend $5 million in various departments.
Commissioners, after holding budget hearings all month, agree some departments will get more money. But they insist they must make other cuts to brace for uncertainties, such as a new city (Brookwood) breaking away in north central DeKalb.
“My first thought is, until we can figure it out, we should put any extra money we have in reserve,” said Commissioner Elaine Boyer. “We don’t know what this year will bring.”
Unlike other metro Atlanta counties, DeKalb's commission does not make all budget decisions but works from a proposed spending plan from the CEO. That setup has long created friction, though both sides have at least agreed they won't support a tax increase after last summer's 26 percent hike.
Ellis’ amended $559 million budget proposal is a 3.5 percent increase over last year’s spending, calculated without a tax hike. Most of that increase comes from the bump in the 2011 surplus, originally projected to be about $18 million.
The additional money will largely help rebuild the county's reserve, a rainy day fund critical to keep the county's bond ratings up. Ratings agencies downgraded DeKalb several times last year after it began 2011 with no money in reserve. Counting money from the surplus, the 2012 reserve will reach $30 million, two-third's of the goal of one month's expenses.
Ellis said Monday the surplus was created due in part to his strict control of filling vacant jobs, an effort he pledged to continue in 2012.
“We feel very good about where we are going into the next year and with our ability to fund our critical operations," he said.
Among Ellis’ proposed changes:
- Adding $485,000 to the State Court budget to pay for nine positions in the court system and marshal's office. Workers are already in those jobs but Ellis' December proposal did not fund them.
- Adding $972,630 to the District Attorney's Office, which covers a $598,954 match to secure a $63,233 grant and directs $376,676 to supplement attorney salaries.
- Adding $76,922 for a salary increase for a new medical examiner. The previous medical examiner, Patrick Bailey, is continuing to receive his old salary, despite no longer heading the office.
- Cutting $4.8 million in workers compensation and funding for natural gas services, to offset a $10 million increase in insurance costs. Richard Stogner, the county's chief operating officer, described those moves as routine adjustments made every year.
Missing from the recommendation is $115,000 commissioners said they support for the DA to investigate possible corruption at the county’s water department. Stogner said the administration supports that investigation but is trying to contain costs.
“We will make sure if he needs additional funds for that investigation, he will get them,” Stogner said.
Another large question mark in the budget is the $2.4 million cost of buying 300 new air packs, which provide firefighters oxygen as they fight fires. Fire Chief Edward O'Brien said the department needs to begin replacing the gear immediately because current air packs have been failing in the field.
Commissioners have said they will find money to begin a phase-in for that gear. Ellis’ proposal calls for increasing the fire department’s savings by $898,000, money that could be used as the first payment.
The back-and-forth has worn on residents, some who complain that both sides are unwilling to make deep cuts in their own offices and listening when voters repeatedly insist their priorities are public safety, roads and libraries.
"Isn't it interesting they can say they don't have money for people running into burning buildings but they always find the money to hop on a plane down to Washington," said Ruby Bozeman Davis, a retired mental health worker from central DeKalb. "I think they need to have an audit that shows us what they are really spending on."
The budget committee meets Tuesday afternoon to debate its recommendations. The committee is expected to make its counter proposal to Ellis’ budget during a meeting Thursday. The full board votes on the budget next Tuesday.
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