Wednesday, May 21, 2003
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Wednesday, May 21, 2003 |
County budget lower than last yearBy JOHN
THOMPSON There's good news for Fayette County taxpayers in this year's County Commission budget. Preliminary budget figures indicate the county's General Fund budget comes in this year at $44.4 million, which is $201,000 less than last year's budget, said Finance Director Mark Pulliam. The total budget, which includes fire funds and the water department is $66.068 million, which is virtually the same as last year's, Pulliam added. All the figures are estimates, since the tax digest won't be completed until July or August, Pulliam said. "We're real happy with this budget, and I'm going to recommend the millage rate be rolled back to the new assessment levels," said Pulliam. Pulliam is going to recommend the incorporated millage rate be rolled back from 7.116 to 6.786, while unincorporated residents would see the rate drop from 6.198 to 5.908. Everyone's fire rate would fall from 3.58 to 3.45. Last year, the county added 88 public safety personnel in anticipation of the new jail and judicial center opening. Pulliam does not recommend any new staff this year. A copy of the budget is available at the library and commission office at Stonewall Village. Budget workshops are tentatively scheduled for next week, while the first public hearing on the budget is June 12 at 7 p.m. at the public meeting room at Stonewall Village.
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