GAINESVILLE - A second town hall meeting on the proposed Hall County budget, its $11.5 million dollar shortfall and talk of a tax increase has been scheduled Saturday.
Commissioner Craig Lutz will host a session Saturday night at 7:00 at the Flowery Branch Depot. There will be a brief budget presentation by county staff followed by questions and comments from the audience.
"I represent all tax-paying citizens and appreciate your input," Lutz said. "This economy is forcing all families to make sacrifices. The government is here to provide a service to the taxpayers in the most efficient manner possible, and that is the goal of this budget. "
Commissioner Ashley Bell announced earlier that he would conduct a community meeting on the budget Saturday morning at 9:30 at the Fair Street Neighborhood Community Center. Commissioner Scott Gibbs held one in North Hall last week.
Commission chairman Tom Oliver said two weeks ago he favors a 1.41 mill tax increase, otherwise drastic cutbacks in services and more than 100 layoffs will be needed because of the budget shortfall. The cuts in services could include taking two ambulances off the street, closing some county parks and closing four library branches.
Proposed budget details are available at www.hallcounty.org/budget (see link below) or in the Finance Department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday at the Courthouse Annex in Gainesville. A question/comment form is available online, as well, and there is a budget discussion board on Facebook. A full budget presentation and public hearing is scheduled Thursday during a commission meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Georgia Mountains Center.
The Hall County Board of Commissioners is currently scheduled to approve a budget at its meeting June 23rd at 6 p.m. at the Georgia Mountains Center.
Tuesday
October 15th, 2024
4:31PM
