Franklin County Begins FY14 Budget Talks

Franklin County commissioners will meet again on the 20^th for the second work session on their fiscal 2014 budget.

The County’s fiscal year begins July 1^st.

So far, a proposed fiscal budget has not been released yet, according to County Clerk Laverne Hilley, because not all departmental budgets have been submitted.

Meantime, the first work session was held Monday afternoon at the County Commission office in Carnesville.

There, the board heard from the department heads from the Franklin County Extension Service, the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, and the Franklin County EMS.

Shelter director Sheri Lockhart spoke on behalf of the shelter’s board of directors.

Lockhart said this year, the board is asking Franklin County to contribute $70,000 for animal intake services.

 “Our projected budget is the same as last year, $160,000,” she said. “Year to date that you  have paid us for last fiscal year is $54,000, but we are requesting $70,000.”

The increase she said mainly has to do with a rise in the cost of utilities and insurance.

Commissioner Clint Harper had suggested earlier that the shelter raise adoption fees as a way to increase revenue.

Lockhart said all of the adoption fee income goes to local veterinarians to pay for adopted animals to be spayed or neutered.

 “We spoke to the veterinarians and they are in agreement that if we raise the adoption fee, then they want more money,” she said.

After hearing from Lockhart the board thanked her and moved on to hear from Terry Harris, head of the Franklin County EMS.

Harris said his budget for FY14 is $1.7 million.

Harris was questioned about the  $459,851 in overtime listed in his proposed budget.

“The way our schedule works, they work 24 hours on, 48hrs off,” Harris said. “So their base is 80hrs regular pay, 40 hours overtime. That’s the way it’s been since I’ve been here.”

Commissioners suggested looking into how other counties pay their EMT’s.

The board also heard from County Extension Service agent Ricky Josey, who said his FY14 budget is $92,040.

Josey is also asking the County to provide a pick up truck for the Extension Service office.

 “I would very much like you to entertain the thought of you purchasing a pick up for me to use around the county,” he said. “And there seems to be a trend now where other counties are purchasing pick ups for their agents.”

Josey said the cost for a new pick up would be around $20,000.

Currently, he said he is using his personal vehicle for extension service calls.

The board made no decision on that request.

Next week, the commission will convene again for their second work session, but Hilly said they will likely not be hearing from department heads.

That meeting will also take place at 1:30p at the County Commission office in Carnesville and is open to the public.