Budget Reflects No Tax Increase and No Salary Reductions for County Employees

I am happy to report that on Wednesday, Jan. 20, my colleagues and I on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved the Fiscal Year 2010 General Fund Final Budget.  The BOC affirmed its commitment to Fulton County citizens and, for the fourth year in a row, did not raise the millage rate. The Board of Commissioners was also able to stave off a 4 percent salary reduction for Fulton County employees as previously projected.  

We identified cost savings in several ways including holding the line on spending. Working with our county manager and our finance team, we used methods such as hiring freezes, reductions in positions, and investing in the jail, to assist us with reducing this budget.

A key source of additional revenue was also due to tax collection efforts. Tax collections were in excess of the 86 percent that the County initially projected to remain fiscally conservative during the budget process. 

During the meeting, the Board of Commissioners made additional allocations to several key County programs, including: 

• $400,000 for senior home repair programs, specifically for residents in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Johns Creek
• $900,000 for equipment to streamline the absentee ballot process
• $1.3 million for justice system programs (including $800,000 for pre-trail services in Superior and State Courts, $426,000 for the Public Defender, and $150,000 for the Drug Court)
• $750,000 for Human Services grants, earmarked for senior transportation and housing
• $750,000 for FRESH Grant programs aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and improving the health and wellbeing of young people
• $72,626 for an environmental planner, to strengthen the County’s commitment to environmentally conscious operations and services 

This budget process was a team effort. Everyone played a vital role in getting us to where we are now. We have successfully approved a budget that does not increase the millage rate, but also has only a minimal impact on services and staff.

Fulton County Budget Quick Facts

Where We Started

• $130 million budget reduction in FY 2010 General Fund (approximately 25%) that would have significantly impacted services and likely resulted in a reduction in force of up to 500 county employees 
Where We Are Now
• No millage rate increase to Fulton County citizens
• $33 million reduction to departments, limited impact on programs and services, and potential staff reduction of 23 or fewer employees (129 vacant positions will be cut) 
Service Funding Highlights
• Health & Human Services - $158.8 million in 2010, including $51.6 million for Grady Health System
• Internal Services - $126.1 million (compared to $120.1 million actual spending in 2009)
• Justice System - $213 million (compared to $208.9 million actual spending in 2009)
How We Closed the Gap
• Reduced FY2009 expenditures- efforts included a hiring freeze, reduction in non-essential spending (e.g. supplies, travel)
• Higher-than-projected FY2009 revenues- Tax collections in excess of projected 86%
• Renegotiation of inmate outsourcing contracts- $4 million in savings

Total 2010 General Fund Budget

• $588,699,036 Total Expenditures
• $41,619,077 Fund Balance (Reserves) – 7%