Coweta County's proposed 2000 budget of $28 million is already coming under fire from one county commissioner.

“We don't have a really balanced budget,” said Commissioner Vernon “Mutt” Hunter.

While the county's staff said it's balanced, Hunter had a problem with the fact that past savings in last year's budget were being used to fund capital projects next year.

“I just have a problem with the language. Before long, the reserves will be depleted and we'll be like Fulton County,” he said.

But commission Chairman Lawrence Nelms said the budget is balanced and the language used is no worse than claiming the county is cutting taxes every year when it is only cutting them by a small amount.

Finance director Ricky Smoot said this year's budget calls for no tax increase and features a 5 percent cost of living raise for employees.

Smoot said the county had also budgeted overtime in several departments to anticipate the workload from the county's rapidly growing population.

One issue in this year's budget that is sure to lead to a lengthy discussion is the Sheriff's Department's request for 10 additional personnel.

Smoot recommended only four and said each new deputy costs the county $32,908 with benefits.

Another issue sure to come under fire is 21st Century Coweta's request for $87,500 for another person to help the county market its newly acquired Shenandoah Industrial Park. The group is also seeking $50,000 from the county for the county's share of funding Coweta Vision 2020, a strategic plan for the future.

Smoot did not make any recommendations on 21st Century's items and said that would be a matter for the commissioners to decide.

The county will conduct a preliminary budget discussion next Tuesday at 2 p.m.

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