The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the county’s 2012 budget. Here’s what you need to know:
Tough times: Gwinnett County and other local governments have struggled in recent years to balance their budgets as plummeting real estate values took a toll on a major source of income: property taxes. Two years ago, Gwinnett raised its property tax rate 21 percent. Last year, it raised ambulance fees, furloughed employees and cut library spending to help balance its budget.
Elsewhere, Cobb County last year raised its property tax rate nearly 16 percent even as it cut spending on services such as libraries and senior centers. Last summer, DeKalb County raised its tax rate 26 percent.
The bottom line: On Tuesday, Gwinnett commissioners approved an $898 million 2012 operating budget, which covers the expenses of law enforcement, courts, fire protection and other services. That's down 3.5 percent from 2011. The 2012 budget year began Sunday.
Commissioners also approved a $429.9 million capital budget, which includes various road, park and other construction projects. That’s down 27.5 percent from last year. Much of Gwinnett's capital budget is dependent on sales tax revenue, which has declined in recent years. The county also has postponed some projects, like a proposed expansion of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center, because of concerns about their impact on the operating budget.
Total 2012 spending will top $1.3 billion.
Some jobs frozen, cut: The county has 4,805 full-time employees. To help balance the operating budget, commissioners decided not to fill 25 vacant positions each in the police and fire departments, plus five in juvenile court. That will save $3.1 million. Because most of the jobs also were vacant last year, county officials say public safety will not be diminished.
In addition, Gwinnett will save about $230,000 by eliminating four full-time parks jobs and converting another full-time job to part time. It also will delay staffing Bryson Park, under construction in Lilburn.
Other savings: Much of the savings in the budget will come from spending less on vehicle purchases ($5 million) and eliminating general fund contributions to capital projects ($12 million). Gwinnett also expects to save $1.6 million by requiring vacant jobs be held open for a minimum of 90 days.
Public feedback: Recent Gwinnett budgets have sparked public outcry. Two years ago, angry residents protested the 21 percent property tax rate increase. Last year, dozens objected to cuts in library and social services funding.
Public reaction this year has been sedate. The 2012 budget includes a slight property tax reduction that will save the owner of a $200,000 home about $16 a year. And library advocates praised commissioners at a recent public hearing for refraining from additional cuts.
What they said: Commissioners noted the new budget does not dip into county fund balances to cover costs, and they said the public shouldn't notice any change in services because of this year's spending cuts.
“Hopefully, they won’t see anything,” said Commissioner Lynette Howard, “but there’s a lot of people working really hard to make that happen.”
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