“Counties Working Counties Working Together”Together”

A plan for county and regional collaborationA plan for county and regional collaboration

2009 2009 District District Meetings Meetings

Transportation Funding

Fiscal Accountability

Local Sales Tax Collections

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Counties are responsible for the majority of the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Debate on funding will be center-stage, again.

Discussions are focusing on enabling local governments to propose a TSPLOST.

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

The state, counties and cities are required to balance their budgets

  Georgia counties, unlike the state and cities, face

unique challenges in navigating the budget crisis o No control over large parts of their budgeto Limited flexibility with funding sources

There is a disconnect between service responsibility and revenue raising authority

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Housing Inmateso County: 42% growtho State: 18% growth

Road Maintenance & Managemento Counties responsible for 83,531 miles or 72% of state’s road networko State responsible for 18,087 miles or 16% of state’s road network

Public Safetyo Counties provide 1 law enforcement vehicle for every 778 citizenso State provides 1 law enforcement vehicle for every 6273 Georgians

Court Costso Counties pay for at least 80% of the court system in Georgiao Counties pay approximately 60% of the cost of indigent defense whereas the

state is paying for 40% of the cost for the superior and juvenile court level.

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

DFACS Buildings

County Extension Offices

DDS Buildings

Local Health Department Buildings

GBI Buildings

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

State Patrol Buildings

State Libraries

Mental Health/Substance Abuse/Developmental Disabilities

Georgia Forestry Commission Buildings

Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Indigent Defense

Elections

Comprehensive Planning

Service Delivery

Annual Financial Report

Handicap Decals for the State

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Separate 911Audit Report

Solid Waste Management

Compliance with GASB Regulations

Provides Tax Digest for other levels of Government

Tags and Titles for the State

Courts

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

The state, with the exception of the Motor Fuel Tax, has more discretion with its revenues

Fee and Trust Fund Redirection: o Hazardous Waste Trust Fundo Solid Waste Trust Fundo Prepaid 911 Feeso Indigent Defense Fundo Sales Tax Administrative Feeo 2008 Unidentifiable Local Sales Tax Proceeds

Regrettably, funding for these programs shifts to counties or services will not be provided

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District MeetingsDistrict Meetings

$0

$5,000,000

$10,000,000

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

$25,000,000

Hazardous Waste Fees Solid Waste FeesCivil Penalties Hazardous SubstanceBrownfields Appropriation

$0

$2,000,000

$4,000,000

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

Fees Collected Fees Appropriated

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Many county revenues are legally restricted and cannot be redirected in times of budget crisis: o SPLOST, LOST, HOSTo Hotel/Motel Taxo Impact Feeso 911 Feeso Building License and Permitso Storm Water Utility Feeso All the various fees collected by constitutional officers and

the courts set by state statute

Fiscal Accountability: vesting service responsibility and revenue generation in same elected body

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Collection Compliance

LOST Renegotiations

Information Sharing with DOR

PILOT Project

Unidentifiable Sales Tax

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Property Tax

Fees

Water

Stormwater

Transparency in Government

Cell Towers

January 2009: Governor proposed FY 2010 Budget - $18.5 billion (10.23% over the final FY09 revenues).

February 2009: Governor lowered estimate to $16.99 billion (1.36% over the final FY09 revenues).

August 2009: Governor projects revenues to come in at $16.1 billion (3.72% below FY09 actual revenues).

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

How the State is Covering the ShortfallHow the State is Covering the Shortfall

Source: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Trust Fund

911 Prepaid

GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvements Grants

One Georgia

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Forestland Protection Act

Crime Labs

Indigent Defense

Mental Health Services

Establish a personal connection with legislators

Understand the legislative process

Watch for ACCG’s Legislative Updates, Budget Updates and Action Alerts

Stay engaged and informed

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Insurance Program

Retirement

Financial Services

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

Training & Leadership

Consulting & Assistance

Discounts for Counties

Offering internship opportunities for college and graduate students in counties

  Cultivating interest in working in county

government for the next generation

To apply for the program, contact Michele NeSmith at 404-522-5022 or mnesmith@accg.org

2009 2009 District Meetings District Meetings

2009 2009 District District Meetings Meetings