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December 1, 2008

County braces for “worst case scenario” in 2009

One day a month employee furloughs considered

Jamie Jones

All 550 employees of Whitfield County will face one day a month furloughs — a day off without pay — beginning in April if current economic conditions do not improve by early 2009, county administrator Bob McLeod said Monday.

The county is already proposing hiring freezes, leaving some jobs unfilled and putting off almost $8 million in capital projects for next year.

McLeod told members of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners that if enacted, the furloughs would last from April to December and save the county about $700,000. The county’s expected expenditures of $44.74 million next year outpace revenues by $3.14 million. McLeod stressed the county does not immediately plan to cut any positions, but if revenues decline beyond forecasts “additional actions will be required.”

“This step (furloughs) is going to be needed to keep expenditures somewhat in line with revenues,” McLeod said.

The 2009 proposed budget is more than $10 million less than the 2008 budget of $55.04 million. The 2007 budget was $42.89 million but did not include a separate capital budget. The 2008 budget was the first in years to include a capital budget. The revenue dips may force the county to tap into its reserve fund again next year.

County officials will make a decision on the furloughs at the end of March. McLeod said the furloughs would be staggered so that office hours and “essential functions would not be interrupted.”

Last month, McLeod presented the proposed 2009 budget that includes hiring freezes in most departments and putting off $7.6 million in capital projects. The county would not give employees a mid-year pay increase or bonuses for extra training, which would have cost $900,000. All department requests for more personnel have been denied, totaling $876,204. There would be no funding for promotions and any required positions would be voluntary appointments without pay increases.

In departments with more than 10 merit employees, the county would freeze hiring, reduce jobs by attrition and evaluate the departments every three months. Smaller departments would be impacted greater by the loss of one person, so they would be exempt from any changes “at this time,” McLeod said. At the public works department, the county would remove funding for four unfilled positions and reduce staff by five employees through attrition. Those moves would save $369,000. If 75 percent of the goal is reached, the county could save more than $690,000 going into 2010. Reaching 100 percent of the goal could save $900,000.

Commissioner Leo Whaley said if possible, he wants the county to avoid dipping into its reserve funds and noted that many people in the community are making sacrifices.

“I would like to see us do the same,” Whaley said.

The county will hold a budget hearing on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. and commissioners are expected to vote on the budget on Dec. 15.

There will be changes to the county’s self-funded health insurance program next year, human resources director Jackie Palacios said. All insurance premiums will increase $13 per pay period. County employees who don’t smoke or use other tobacco products will receive a $10 per pay period discount. Palacios did not say how much the changes will save the county.

Also, a change to the county’s prescription co-pay that includes increases for employees will save the county $46,009, Palacios said.

In other business, commissioners voted 4-0 (chairman Brian Anderson votes only to break ties) to:

• Award a contract to Norcross-based Moreland-Altobelli Associates to acquire right of way for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) projects. The amount the company will be paid is based on a fee structure. Approximately 23 of 28 SPLOST programs under design require right of way to be acquired. About 200 parcels of land will need to be bought.

• Purchase a Hurst Jaws of Life Spreader and Cutter from Steven Williamson/Matrx Medical for $10,500.

• Appoint Jeff Riddlebarger to the county’s Merit Board. Riddlebarger, corporate compensation manager for Shaw Industries, replaces Peggy Perkins.

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