Habersham County BOC Discusses FY Proposed Budget

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. – The Habersham County Board of Commissioners met Monday, June 20 for three hours. They discussed the FY Proposed Budget, applications, and other county business.

Finance Director Tim Sims opened the meeting after approval of minutes with a Public Hearing presentation on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Proposed Budget.  The budget, set to begin July 1 if passed, sets forth the long term goals with intent to maintain responsibility.  They hope to do this while also meeting the service needs of citizens.

The total expenditures on the FY Proposed Budget total over $65 million.  The turnover rate of County workers is high at 24%, but that is a drop from last year’s 27%.

The Budget is split into four categories, including General Fund, Capital Project Funds, Special Revenue Funds, and Enterprise Funds.

General Funds – $33,177,044

Capital Project Funds – $21,024,038.

Special Revenue Funds – $8,209,611

Enterprise Funds – $3,204,094

Total – $65,614,787

It should be noted the budget is balanced.

Sims also notes that the increase in required funds is due to inflationary pressures and gas prices.  Fire and EMS products have increased in cost as well.

Property Taxes went from $15,710,174 in the 2022 budget to $18,887,750 in the 2023 budget, marking a 20.23% increase.  Property taxes make up 57% of the budget, meanwhile other taxes make up 20%.

Sims said that Habersham is a county that is heavily residential.  He said it would behoove the county to try to diversify that into more commercial as to not rely on residential properties so heavily.

You can view the FY Proposed Budget in its entirety here.