MINUTES

BUDGET WORK SESSION

STEPHENS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

JUNE 8, 2006 / 11:00 A.M.

 

Chairman Steve Chitwood called the Budget Work Session to order at 11:05 a.m. and welcomed those in attendance.

 

PRESENT:     Commissioners Steve Chitwood, Kenneth Peeples and Rex Anderson; County Administrator Darrell Hampton;

and County Clerk Donna Patterson

 

I.          FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET

 

County Administrator Darrell Hampton asked the Commissioners if they had any questions concerning the third draft of the proposed FY 2007 Stephens County Budget.

 

Chairman Chitwood asked if an opinion was received from the County Attorney concerning Stephens County providing funds to the Recovery Academy.

 

Administrator Hampton stated the County Attorney found that the Georgia Constitution prohibits counties from providing funds to non-profit / charitable organizations.  GA Code § 36-1-19.1 allows for charitable contributions by counties with populations of 400,000 or more if the charity is within the county.  However, Stephens County does not meet the 400,000 population requirement.  Additionally, there might be other problems associated with funding the Recovery Academy under regulations and case law governing the funding of schools.

 

Chairman Chitwood stated his concern with supporting the proposed hospital renovations and binding future Board of Commissioners to multi-year debt.

 

Administrator Hampton stated that the attorney is still researching this issue.

 

Chairman Chitwood asked if there were any additional questions or comments concerning the FY 2007 Budget.

 

Commissioner Peeples stated that he still prefers a small increase divided equally among all employees in lieu of a 3.4 % cost-of-living increase.

 

The Commissioners stated that they were satisfied with the proposed 9.94 millage rate.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Peeples, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to accept the third draft of the proposed

FY 2007 Budget as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Administrator Hampton asked for confirmation that the Commissioners approve the third draft as presented with no other changes to be made at this time.

 

The Commissioners affirmed that they accept the third draft as submitted by Administrator Hampton.

 

Administrator Hampton stated that the Budget, as presented, would be available for public review at the Courthouse Annex, County Commissioner Office.

 

Chairman Chitwood requested for Administrator Hampton to prepare an analysis of the impact of the six issues on the November ballot concerning Homestead Exemptions for various groups.

 

Administrator Hampton stated that he would review the issues and prepare an analysis.

 

Administrator Hampton stated that he would advertise the first public hearing for the proposed budget for June 20, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.

 

He would also advertise a second public hearing for June 27, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.  A Called Meeting will be held after the June 27^th public hearing for the Commissioners to consider adopting the FY 2007 Budget by resolution.

 

II.         ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Approved this ______________ day of ______________________, 2006.

 

 

 

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                        Chairman Steve Chitwood

 

ATTEST:

 

 

___________________________________

County Clerk Donna L. Patterson