Politics & Government

Vote Today on Budget With Tax Increase

The county raised the rate from 9.6 mills to 11.11 mills for the year that ends Sept. 30.

The is set to vote today on the 2012 budget, which includes a tax increase to make up a possible $33 million deficit.

The county raised the rate from 9.6 mills to 11.11 mills for the year that ends Sept. 30. Tax bills went out in mid-August.

On a $140,000 to $160,000 house, the increase averages $82.67 more per year. On a $190,000 to $210,000 home, the increase averages $111.66 per year.

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Property taxes make up 58 percent of the county's general fund. With the tax increase, the county is able now to fill some public safety positions that were frozen, said Jim Pehrson, finance director.

"It gives us some breathing room," Pehrson said.

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The total proposed budget for next year is $723 million. The adopted budget for the current year was $720.6 million.

proposed general fund budget for fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1, is expected to be about $4 million more than the current $317 million budget that was revised in April, the county’s finance director told commissioners in August.

However, the $321.7 million proposal is $6.3 million less than the $328 million 2011 budget originally adopted last year. Commissioners had to implement five furlough days and other budget cuts in April to close a $27 million budget gap.

Since May 1, county employees have been forced to take five unpaid days off to help balance the current year's budget.

Cobb County's proposed fiscal 2012 budget doesn't include any furlough days for the county's 4,200 employees.

The proposed budget also doesn't include any layoffs, but it does include some fee increases and service reductions, plus other cost-saving measures.

Library hours have been cut as well as hours at the aquatic center, said Robert Quigley, county spokesman. In personnel, 66 unfilled positions will be eliminated. The county is also looking to privatize the Cobblestone Golf Course.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners will consider raising water and sewer fees.

The director of the Cobb Water System has proposed a 6 percent increase in water rates for usage over 3,000 gallons, and a 2 percent increase in sewer charges. The increases affect both residential and commercial users and would take effect Jan. 1.


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