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Politics & Government

Commissioners Adopt 2011 Budget

County budget is balanced, but city postpones vote until January 18.

After struggling with a $13 million budget shortfall last summer, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has adopted a balanced 2011 budget of $88.1 million, an increase of about 8.4 percent over the 2010 budget.

The preliminary budget prepared by the county's Financial Department last August indicated $93 million in expenditures with a little more than $79 million in revenue. To balance the budget as required by state law, commissioners approved a modest millage increase and directed department heads to make additional cuts to their budgets.

A portion of the increase in the 2011 budget will go toward restoring some benefits county employees lost last year when the economy was in decline. Unpaid holidays for employees have been cut back from seven to four this year and the reduced 401K employer match has been extended. Also, the Sheriff's Office budget has increased from $34.8 million to $36 million.

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But District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell said the biggest increase in expenditures was caused by unfunded mandates handed down by the state and rising health care costs.

After the budget was approved, he thanked county employees and department heads for their effort in working through "a very difficult budget process."

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In a telephone interview over the holidays, Bell said, "I'm pleased we were able to fund the services the citizens told us they wanted with a very modest millage increase. The increase was hard to approve, but it was the right decision. It will make it possible to maintain the quality of life and amenities our citizens wanted and required to be competitive in the economic development arena."

Cumming Budget Hearing Postponed

While the City of Cumming won't make a decision on its proposed $23.1 million budget until January 18, one thing is certain: City residents won't have to pay property taxes again in 2011.

It's a source of pride to Mayor Gravitt and the city council that Cumming is debt free and residents haven't been burdened with property taxes in the last 30 years.

City officials had planned to approve the budget during the last city council meeting in December, but postponed a decision, in part, to consider a request from a resident that the Dobbs Creek gymnasium be air conditioned.

Many city-sponsored recreation programs take place in the gym during the summer months when the heat is overbearing.

Gravitt said he would see if there is any place the budget could be trimmed to make way for the expense, but he said air conditioning for the gym could cost in excess of $300,000.

Cumming's budget has risen only slightly in the last three years, climbing from $21.3 million in 2009 to 22.2 million last year.

Despite a still struggling economy, Gravitt said the city would keep all its employees through 2011.

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