Gwinnett County’s proposed 2012 budget would freeze vacant police and fire positions and reduce parks staffing, but it would leave county services largely intact.
The proposed $901 million operating budget includes no new employees, no pay raises and no property tax increase. Overall, spending on operations would decline 3.2 percent if the Board of Commissioners approves the budget in January. The combined capital and operating budget would fall more than 12 percent to $1.3 billion.
Chairwoman Charlotte Nash, who proposed the budget, said forces beyond the county’s control -- such as the real estate market and the European financial crisis -- could lead to more spending cuts. But for now she said the average Gwinnett resident might not notice any change in services.
“I feel really good about this budget,” Nash told commissioners Tuesday. “We’ve got a little bit of breathing room.”
Gwinnett has spent much of this year cutting costs and raising revenue to balance its budget in the face of declining property tax revenue. Among other things, commissioners raised ambulance fees, eliminated vacant positions, furloughed employees and imposed a 90-day minimum vacancy period for jobs.
Under Nash’s proposed budget, the 90-day vacancy period would remain, but no furloughs are planned. Gwinnett would save $3.1 million by freezing 25 vacant positions each in the Police and Fire departments and freezing an additional five vacant positions in juvenile court.
Because most of those jobs have been held open this year, Nash said public safety will not be diminished. She said the departments will have to be “smarter about the way they balance their resources.”
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.
Much of the savings in the proposed operating budget comes from spending less on vehicle purchases ($5 million) and eliminating general fund contributions to capital projects ($12 million).
Local accountant Laurie McClain served on a citizens committee that advised Nash as she prepared the budget. McClain said she was impressed with the way Gwinnett has managed its budget, but tough decisions lie head.
“The low-hanging fruit has already been picked,” she said. “Next year ought to be very interesting.”
Gwinnett residents can comment on the budget on the county’s website and at a Dec. 13 public hearing. Commissioners are expected to take final action on the budget Jan. 3.
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