LETTER: County can’t afford budget increase now

This is a huge increase of 33 percent. When added to the number of foreclosures in our county over the last few years we are saddened to see that many hundreds of our neighbors have lost their homes because of the present economic disaster. And, it looks like this trend is going to continue for the foreseeable future.

The news on the job front isn’t any better either. The Department of Labor reports that 277 of our fellow citizens in Madison County filed for unemployment last week. These join the many Madison County residents who have lost their jobs over the last couple of years. And, with the announcement that the Overhead Door Corporation is going to shut down their Athens plant, it looks like others in our county will lose their jobs too. Without a doubt, the continuing loss of jobs will lead to more homes being lost by families in Madison County.
Times are tough, and they are getting worse.

This is why I was surprised when I heard that our county commission is proposing a budget with a two-percent spending increase. How can this spending increase, or even maintaining the spending level from last year, be justified in light of the financial hardships being experienced by many people in our county?

We know that the state of Georgia has had to make serious cuts in their budgets over the last couple of years due to the economic downturn. Even the University System of Georgia has had to drastically reduce their spending. Despite the reductions in spending already made by these state government entities, they are wisely planning for possible further cuts in the next fiscal year if the economy does not improve.

I believe it is time for our county to make serious reductions in spending in order to relieve the burden on those who are about to lose their homes and those who have lost their jobs. For some, a few hundred dollars’ reduction in property tax might make the difference in having a home or being homeless.

Some might say that since the level of taxation is remaining the same, that the burden is not being increased. Well, if incomes are down and the taxes remain the same, the burden is harder to bear. In fact, the present level of taxation by the county might prove to be too great a burden, not only for families affected by unemployment, but also by our local businesses which are suffering because of this recession. Every business that closes takes with it more needed jobs.

I know in the process of putting together a budget for our county is a very difficult task, but I ask our commissioners to revisit the budget making process in order to provide relief for the people of Madison County.

I also ask the citizens of our county to contact their respective commission member and the chairman in a polite and respectful way to encourage them to help those who are going through very difficult times.

Sincerely,

Glenn Guest