Operating Budget Set for 1.5% Dip

Excluding the effects last year of , Bartow County's 2012 operating budget would be about $500,000 more than 2011's.

And it's an election year. operation is set to spend more than $200,000 than in the previous year, nearly a 70 percent increase.

While its total proposed financial plan would decrease by about $200,000, Commissioner Clarence Brown revealed at a public meeting yesterday the county's general fund budget could drop $1 million in 2012.

A resident who spoke during the public hearing asked Brown for more spending on indigent services, citing the taxpayer funding of jails who house criminals, reported.

Brown is set to approve the budget, which is attached in .pdf files, at a Feb. 8 public meeting at 10 a.m., but it's unclear if he will alter the planned $4,800 dip in indigent services. This year's proposal calls for $466,700.

In the general or operating fund, the less than 2 percent decline comes on the heels of last year's $1.5 million hike to open the new jail tower and purchase capital equipment. In other words, the proposed 2012 spending is about level with that of last year.

It could be an indication the local economy at least is not getting any worse. Bartow depends on sales and property taxes to fund operations. Officials expect about $105 million in revenue, the same as in 2011.

In 2010, the county saw a 5 percent dip in the property tax digest—or a drop in revenue due to lower tax collections—but in 2011 the collective value of property leveled off some.

Expecting the effects of a down economy to hit, county officials in 2009 enacted employee furloughs, which will continue through 2012, and have twice offered employees early retirement incentives.

What do you think of the job Brown and his team have and are doing controlling spending and dealing with the effects of a recession? Tell us in the comments.