Turnout Light at Millage Town Hall Meetings

Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas took her argument for raising property taxes almost three mills to the citizens Tuesday but few took the time to attend.

Thomas held two town hall meetings at the Rocky Ford Recreation Center – one in the morning, the other in the evening.  In both, Thomas gave the same FY16 Budget presentation as the one she gave to the Board of Commissioners earlier this month.

Franklin County’s proposed fiscal 2016 budget is just over $13.2 million , up from this fiscal year’s budget of $11.8 million.  Thomas said unless the millage is raised, the County will have a budget shortfall of $1.3 million in FY16.

Thomas is recommending a millage increase from the current 8.14 mills to 11.13 mills in order to replenish the County’s reserve funds and to fund some major projects and expenses in fiscal 2016.

Thomas said another reason she’s recommending the millage increase is because revenue over the past five years has not kept pace with inflation.

Despite the low turnout Tuesday to both town hall meetings, Thomas said overall, she was pleased that at least some citizens showed up.

Thomas said most who spoke after her presentation were concerned and angry about the County having to pay the hospital bond debt.

When Ty Cobb Healthcare announced it could not meet the payment in December last year, the County had to take over.  Those payments come to just over $625,000 a year.

Thomas is working with the bond attorney on a two-fold plan to make those twice yearly payments that includes a new SPLOST and a refinancing of the current bonds to get a lower interest rate.

If you missed Tuesday’s town hall meetings, two more will be held tomorrow, Thursday at the Rocky Ford Recreation Center at 10a and again at 7p.

Three public hearings will be held before the Commission passes the FY16 budget.

Those will be held on June 23 and June 30th.  Franklin County’s new fiscal year begins July 1.