County Budget To Increase 4.2 Percent, Finance Director Says

Oconee County will see 4.2 percent growth in its General Fund budget for fiscal year 2019-2020, County Finance Director Wes Geddings told the Board of Commissioners at its budget hearing last week.

That compares with a 4.5 percent increase the year earlier and brings the total general fund budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 to $30.4 million.

The revenue projections assume no change in the county’s millage rate of 6.686 in the unincorporated parts of the county and 7.646 in the county’s four cities.

Revenue is project to grow by 4.4 percent, including a 5.0 percent growth in income from the county’s property tax and a more modest 3.0 percent increase in income from the county’s sales tax.

The Water Resources Department, which is budgeted separately from the General Fund, is projected to have a decrease in its operating budget from $10.5 million in Fiscal Year 2019 to $10.1 million in Fiscal Year 2020, reflecting the more efficient operation of the Calls Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

Revenue for the Water Resources Department is expected to exceed expenditures.

Budget figures were preliminary, Geddings said, and he promised a final budget when the Board of Commissioners meets on Tuesday. Public hearings are scheduled for May 21 and June 4.

For more on the story, with a video of the budget hearing, pleased go to Oconee County Observations.