Counties Working Together” “ Counties Working Together” A plan for county and regional collaboration 2009 District Meetings

 Transportation Funding  Fiscal Accountability  Local Sales Tax Collections 2009 District Meetings

 Counties are responsible for the majority of the state’s transportation infrastructure.  Debate on funding will be center-stage, again.  Discussions are focusing on enabling local governments to propose a TSPLOST District Meetings

 The state, counties and cities are required to balance their budgets  Georgia counties, unlike the state and cities, face unique challenges in navigating the budget crisis o No control over large parts of their budget o Limited flexibility with funding sources  There is a disconnect between service responsibility and revenue raising authority 2009 District Meetings

 Housing Inmates o County: 42% growth o State: 18% growth  Road Maintenance & Management o Counties responsible for 83,531 miles or 72% of state’s road network o State responsible for 18,087 miles or 16% of state’s road network  Public Safety o Counties provide 1 law enforcement vehicle for every 778 citizens o State provides 1 law enforcement vehicle for every 6273 Georgians  Court Costs o Counties pay for at least 80% of the court system in Georgia o Counties pay approximately 60% of the cost of indigent defense whereas the state is paying for 40% of the cost for the superior and juvenile court level District Meetings

 DFACS Buildings  County Extension Offices  DDS Buildings  Local Health Department Buildings  GBI Buildings 2009 District Meetings  State Patrol Buildings  State Libraries  Mental Health/Substance Abuse/Developmental Disabilities  Georgia Forestry Commission Buildings

 Taxpayer Bill of Rights  Indigent Defense  Elections  Comprehensive Planning  Service Delivery  Annual Financial Report  Handicap Decals for the State 2009 District Meetings  Separate 911Audit Report  Solid Waste Management  Compliance with GASB Regulations  Provides Tax Digest for other levels of Government  Tags and Titles for the State  Courts

2009 District Meetings

 The state, with the exception of the Motor Fuel Tax, has more discretion with its revenues  Fee and Trust Fund Redirection: o Hazardous Waste Trust Fund o Solid Waste Trust Fund o Prepaid 911 Fees o Indigent Defense Fund o Sales Tax Administrative Fee o 2008 Unidentifiable Local Sales Tax Proceeds  Regrettably, funding for these programs shifts to counties or services will not be provided 2009 District Meetings

2009

Solid Waste Trust Fund 2009 District Meetings

 Many county revenues are legally restricted and cannot be redirected in times of budget crisis: o SPLOST, LOST, HOST o Hotel/Motel Tax o Impact Fees o 911 Fees o Building License and Permits o Storm Water Utility Fees o All the various fees collected by constitutional officers and the courts set by state statute  Fiscal Accountability: vesting service responsibility and revenue generation in same elected body 2009 District Meetings

 Collection Compliance  LOST Renegotiations  Information Sharing with DOR  PILOT Project  Unidentifiable Sales Tax 2009 District Meetings

2009  Property Tax  Fees  Water  Stormwater  Transparency in Government  Cell Towers

 January 2009: Governor proposed FY 2010 Budget - $18.5 billion (10.23% over the final FY09 revenues).  February 2009: Governor lowered estimate to $16.99 billion (1.36% over the final FY09 revenues).  August 2009: Governor projects revenues to come in at $16.1 billion (3.72% below FY09 actual revenues) District Meetings

2009 How the State is Covering the Shortfall Source: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

 Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Trust Fund  911 Prepaid  GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvements Grants  One Georgia 2009 District Meetings  Forestland Protection Act  Crime Labs  Indigent Defense  Mental Health Services

 Establish a personal connection with legislators  Understand the legislative process  Watch for ACCG’s Legislative Updates, Budget Updates and Action Alerts  Stay engaged and informed 2009 District Meetings

2009

2009

2009

 Insurance Program  Retirement  Financial Services 2009 District Meetings  Training & Leadership  Consulting & Assistance  Discounts for Counties

 Offering internship opportunities for college and graduate students in counties  Cultivating interest in working in county government for the next generation  To apply for the program, contact Michele NeSmith at or District Meetings

2009