Friday, November 22, 2002

Kenn calls for budget cuts

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The Fulton County Commission began discussion Wednesday of the 2003 county budget as Commission Chairman Mike Kenn called for drastic budget cuts.

Kenn is proposing a $632 million budget for next year which features a number of cuts, including:

A 31.3 percent reduction in road money, which saves the county $5 million.

A 15.5 percent in temporary staffing for a savings of $2 million.

A nearly five percent cut in the sheriff's budget, which saves taxpayers $4 million.

A $5 million cut in funding to Grady Memorial Hospital.

A 16.9 reduction in funding to the Arts council for a $1 million savings.

Still, with all the cuts Kenn recommends, the county would still have to use more than $19 million in reserve funds to balance the budget.

"We are facing a lean budget year, despite using some of our reserve funds. But these are not unreasonable cuts. I believe some of these departments, including Grady Hospital, can operate with a little more efficiency," Kenn said.

Additionally, Kenn said the city of Atlanta would have to pay the county for turning over its judicial program to the county.

"I am asking our board to pass a budget that deducts about $8 million from the Local Option Sales Tax money that goes to Atlanta. That will cover the county's cost to operate the court services Atlanta will no longer provide," Kenn said.