The process of developing the Athens-Clarke County’s annual budget shifted into a new phase Wednesday night, with independent agencies making their pitch to commissioners.
In a three-hour meeting, commissioners heard from Project SAFE, Advantage Behavioral Health, the Athens Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and other entities that receive money from the county.
One of the agencies that commissioners heard from on Wednesday was the Athens Regional Library. Jane Russell, chair of the library’s Board of Trustees, told commissioners that the library was asking for $231,000 for raises for its employees.
Russell also asked commissioners for an additional $62,500 for an increased security presence. That amount, she said, would cover every hour of every day that the library is open.
Budget hearings continue Thursday, with commissioners expected to hear from eight more agencies, including DFACS, Athens in Motion, and the Athens Cultural Affairs Commission.
