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DeKalb needs philosophy: thrift |
| Feb 22, 1993 |
The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution
BY: Elaine Boyer
SECTION: EDITORIAL
PAGE: A/9
DeKalb residents and government leaders must end the spending addiction which is damaging our county and leading us to financial disaster.
With the coming of a brand-new administration, in which five of the seven DeKalb commissioners and the CEO are newly elected, the time to act is now, cutting our very first annual budget. The tone and direction of the county for the next four years will be set by the administration this Tuesday during the first budget battle.
Over the past 10 years, the size and cost of DeKalb County government has more than doubled. Because of the runaway spending programs, we now face a colossal $23 million budget deficit (about 10 percent of the entire budget). Taxes have risen dramatically, particularly on homeowners, causing tens of thousands of homeowners to move out of DeKalb.
DeKalb must not simply "alter" one budget; we must change our entire philosophy of government by cutting property taxes and cutting spending to make our county attractive once again to homeowners and new businesses.
Instead of raising taxes yet again, which would send a terrible message to homeowners and new businesses, $23 million in budget cuts should be adopted, to force our budget back into line. Here is a partial list of cuts which are proposed:
$500,000 cut in equipment fund.
$5 million cut from fleet maintenance replacement fund.
$750,000 cut from sheriff's department by not hiring 50 new personnel for the new jail (completion date: June 1994).
$4 million from Callaway renovation project.
$200,000 CEO/Commission budget (12 percent across-the-board budget cut).
$6.5 million across-the-board cuts for entire budget.
$1.4 million cut from reduction in merit pay to county employees.
$4.5 million in smaller line items.
We cannot fail to enact this new philosophy of living within our means. I urge DeKalb voters and homeowners to call the commission office today to make your voice heard about adopting these cuts instead of tax increases: 371-2881.
Ms. Boyer (R) is Dekalb County commissioner for District 1. |
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