The recession has taken a toll on the budgets of metro area governments. Most jurisdictions were hard hit by the sagging housing market, which led to substantial declines in the tax revenues that fill the coffers of cities, counties and schools. Left with few options to raise money, officials balanced budgets through a mix of cuts, ranging from employee furlough days and hiring freezes to dipping into reserve funds. On the horizon is another tough year marked by continued declines in the tax digests and revenue for most areas. To offset the losses, officials are trying to work on long-range, cost-cutting plans while warning that deeper cuts to services, salaries and staffs are likely possibilities.
Atlanta Public Schools
Budget shortfall: $30 million FY 2012
Budget options/solutions: Increase class sizes, two employee furlough days, continued pay freeze
Expected 2011 tax digest: 5 percent reduction in tax revenue
Looking ahead: Budget proposal presented in April, to be approved in May
Clayton County
Budget shortfall: $8.5 million at mid-year FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Still under review
Expected 2011 tax digest: Expected decline
Looking ahead: Possible $15 million FY 2012 shortfall f
Clayton County Public Schools
Budget shortfall: $49.2 million FY 2012-2013
Budget options/solutions: Proposed layoff of 75 elementary school teachers
Expected 2011 tax digest: Expected decline
Looking ahead: Budget vote expected June 27
Cobb County
Budget shortfall: $31.5 million at mid-year FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Employee furloughs, cuts in bus service, library hours, senior and recreation centers
Expected 2011 tax digest: Expected decline
Looking ahead: Vote on revised budget April 12. Citizens panel studying priorities, spending and management for 2012-2013 budgets. Review of pension, healthcare and strategic plan all due June 28
Cobb County School District
Budget shortfall: $137.7 million FY 2011 l
Budget options/solutions: Increased class sizes, three employee furlough days, cut central office and support staff
Expected 2011 tax digest: 9.5 percent decline
Looking ahead: $40-$50 million shortfall FY 2012 shortfall
City of Marietta
Budget shortfall: none for FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Employee healthcare changes, moved recycling in-house, continued operating/capital budget cuts, hiring and wage freezes
Expected 2011 tax digest: 7.7 percent decline
Looking ahead: Implementing 7 percent departmental budget cuts, unfilled vacancies, reducing fleet, selling vehicles
DeKalb County
Budget shortfall: unclear
Budget options/solutions: $33.6 million budget reduction in February, employee furlough days, hiring freezes, cut 82 fire cadets, postponed a police training class
Expected 2011 tax digest: Expected decline
Looking ahead: Committee providing recommendations for new revenue sources
DeKalb County Schools
Budget shortfall: $88 million FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Employee furlough days, $104 million in cuts
Expected 2011 tax digest: Expected 5 percent to 8 percent decline
Looking ahead: No shortfall expected for FY 2012, furlough days could end
Forsyth County
Budget shortfall: No shortfall for FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Millage increase, no merit or cost-of-living increases, 4 unpaid employee holidays, freeze on vacant positions
Expected 2011 tax digest: Expected decline, possible $1 million revenue decline
Looking ahead: Proposed budget will fund only same services from 2011, new items require approval
Forsyth County Schools
Budget shortfall: No shortfall for FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Three employee furlough days, no step increases, cut four student days from calendar
Expected 2011 tax digest: 4 percent decline, equating to $5.6 million revenue loss
Looking ahead: Proposed FY 2012 budget presented for approval in April
Fulton County
Budget shortfall: $106.8 million FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Reserve funds
Expected 2011 tax digest: Minimum 5 percent decline, equating to $29.3 million revenue loss
Looking ahead: $107.3 million FY 2012 deficit; possible millage increase, hiring freeze, reducing employee benefits
Fulton County Schools
Budget shortfall: Expected $311,000 FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Reduction in central office budget, increased class size, state allocations
Expected 2011 tax digest: 5 percent to 8 percent decline
Looking ahead: Revenue forecast presentation at April board meeting, reserves will be considered to balance FY 2012 budget
City of Sandy Springs
Budget shortfall: $2.9 million FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Deficit is better than expected; continued conservative financial planning
Expected 2011 tax digest: 5 percent decline
Looking ahead: Renegotiating outside contracts
Gwinnett County
Budget shortfall: $18 million FY 2011
Budget options/solutions: Employee furloughs, raised ambulance fee, shifted property tax levy, delayed filling vacancies
Expected 2011 tax digest: 8.7 percent decline in 2011; 4.7 percent decline in 2012
Looking ahead: Task force appointed to study employee pay and benefits
Gwinnett County Schools
Budget shortfall: $75 million FY 2012
Budget options/solutions: Savings from federal funds, continued hiring freeze, increased costs for school breakfast and lunch
Expected 2011 tax digest: 8 percent decline, equating to $43.1 million revenue loss
Looking ahead: State equalization grant funds will help offset low tax revenues
Source: County, city, school officials and documents
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