Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz has sent his recommended budget to commissioners for their review. Martin Matheny has details.
Among the highlights of the budget are:
- An additional $300,000 for neighborhood traffic management projects
- An additional $75,000 for the county Public Defender’s Office
- Over $2 million in additional funding for medical services at the Clarke County Jail.
- Firefighters and EMS Captains for ACC Fire and Emergency Services
- Raises for Athens-Clarke County Library staff
- 3% - 4% raises for county employees
Girtz’s budget doesn’t raise the county’s millage rate, one of two factors – along with property value – that controls how much residents pay in property taxes. However, surging property values in housing-strapped Athens-Clarke County may lead to increases in some residents' property tax bills.
Girtz’s budget will be the subject of several commission work sessions and public hearings, and commissioners will likely make changes before they vote in the coming weeks.