Friday, December 8, 2000
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Friday, December 8, 2000 |
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Budget grows by 10 percent By JOHN THOMPSON Coweta County's proposed budget for 2001 is jumping by nearly 10 percent. Finance director Rick Smoot told the County Commission Tuesday morning that this year's budget is $30.5 million, compared to $27.9 million in 2000. In any budget year, there are many more requests than can be funded and Smoot said this year is no exception. Sheriff Mike Yeager requested an additional 19 officers, but Smoot and his staff recommended hiring only four officers. The sheriff also requested a "drive home" plan of leasing 24 Crown Victorias for three years. Funding for the plan over three years would be $785,00, which the staff also rejected. A notable increase, though, occurred in the funding for the Senoia and Grantville libraries. In years past, the county has given only $2,500 to each library, but this year bumped the allocation up to $10,000. Commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said it is important to give the libraries more funds so that people in the outlying areas of the county will have better access to the books and computers in the libraries. Staff also approved a new ambulance, but said the $100,000 cost should be paid by the Hospital Authority, which still has funds from its sale of the old Coweta General Hospital years ago. Smoot also said that many of the big projects talked about at recent commission meetings would need to be funded through the county's fund balance. Projects such as additional short-term court space, T-hangers at the airport and completing the Pine Road Fairground complex are not funded in the 2001 budget. Smoot also recommended a 5 percent cost of living adjustment for all personnel and recommended a public hearing on the budget Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. at the County Administrative Complex. The board is expected to give final approval to the budget in January.
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