Could a tax increase be on the way to help fund services for the explosive growth that's occurring in Coweta County?

That was one of the options discussed during the Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Coweta County Board of Commissioners.

“It may be the only option we have left,” said Commissioner Jim McGuffey.

McGuffey expressed concern the board would not be able to fund the Sheriff's Department request for 10 additional officers. The county staff recommended hiring four officers, but McGuffey said the sheriff is really the only person who knows what his personnel needs are.

County administrator Theron Gay said the county staff tries to balance the needs of all departments against the revenues the county receives.

“It took us about a month to come up with these figures,” he said.

Outside of raising taxes, the only option for increased revenues would be an increase in the county's tax digest. Gay praised the commissioners for their recent purchase of the Shenandoah Industrial Park and said it may prove to bring in some extra dollars to the digest through new industrial companies moving into the county.

Commissioner Charlie Jones said the Fire Department also is desperate for more funding, because there is a 2.5-mill cap on using tax revenues for fire services.

Another area that concerned Commissioner Vernon “Mutt” Hunter is public works.

“We're always asking these people to do things and I'm going to make sure they're taken care of as long as I'm up here,” he said. Hunter is former public works director for Fayette County.

The commissioners did not take any action on the budget Tuesday, but will vote on the final budget proposal at 9 a.m. Jan. 4 at their regular meeting.

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