With the approval of the revised budget on Tuesday, the County Commission has given $500,000 of your tax hike dollars to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Read more…
I have received indications from reliable sources that the Commission will vote to adopt the full 2.28 mill tax increase after tonight’s public hearing.
The inclusion of 2010 budget items in this 2009 supplemental millage rate is UNPRECEDENTED and UNNECESSARY. As a result, the tax increase to be passed tonight will be 32% higher than it arguably should be, because of the 2010 items which total $19.8 million. Read more…
Earlier this year, the public (correctly, in my opinion) revolted over a proposed 30% tax increase. The 2009 budget approved on March 3 (large file) contained expenditures that were unjustified in the current financial climate– a light rail study, GPS in county vehicles and $1.06 million for a “Go Green Initiative,” to name just a few of the items on the Commissioners’ wish list.
The increase was also going to pay, however, for some pretty important stuff– the equipping and staffing of three new fire stations; 58 new police officers and equipment; the reestablishment of the Quality of Life unit; and several prosecutors and investigators in the District Attorney’s office. (Pictured: Station 30 on Ozora Road in Loganville-Grayson; finished but empty)
Not only are those items in jeopardy, but the rejection of the earlier increase also necessitated additional service cuts beyond those already incorporated into the budget. For example, early retirements and layoffs have cut “back office” functions, like general administration and Planning & Development, to the bone, even after 108 positions had been eliminated in the initial budget. A planned pay raise has been abandoned as well. Read more…
Gwinnett In the News