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Gordon County delays decision on proposed millage increase after finance briefing
Summary
After hearing a finance director—s presentation showing a potential $834,000 shortfall, the Gordon County Board of Commissioners voted to table a decision on whether to advertise a higher millage rate until its next meeting so staff can provide more detailed homeowner impact calculations.
At a Gordon County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board voted to table action on whether to advertise a proposed increase to the county—s millage rate after a detailed presentation from the finance director and extended discussion about public-safety staffing and property-tax impacts.
Finance director Andrea told the commission that final consolidation sheets for the property-tax digest required a balanced budget and that advertising a millage rate of 9.346 mills would be what staff recommends to avoid a projected shortfall. "If we don't advertise at that rate and if we stay with the 9.042, we're looking at a shortfall in our budget of around $834,000," Andrea said.
County administrators and commissioners discussed the trade-offs. The county administrator said the board had aimed to hold the millage at 9.042 but noted operational pressures: "As a matter of pride, I'd like and and on the sake of, the citizens, I'd like to stay at 9.042. So, but I gotta run the county as well, and I gotta keep our services up and our department staff and our equipment in good shape," he said. He also outlined public-safety needs that influenced the budget request, including new firefighters and apparatus.
Commissioners asked staff to supply more precise homeowner-impact calculations for both advertised rates. Andrea agreed to follow up with a specific per-house example for the press release and more detailed numbers for the commission. Commissioners also discussed the potential effects of a state referendum that would cap assessment increases at roughly 3% unless counties opt out; staff warned that such a cap could make it harder to cover ongoing expenses and may force service reductions.
Rather than advertise immediately, the board adopted a motion to table the item until the next meeting to allow staff time to provide the requested calculations and to explore possible internal savings. The motion to table was seconded and carried.
Next steps: staff will provide detailed homeowner-impact figures and any additional budget options to the commissioners in advance of the next meeting, when the board will again consider whether to advertise a new millage rate and schedule the required public hearings.
