According to Newton County BOC Chair Kathy Morgan, the county is facing a $2.6 million dollar shortfall for fiscal year 2012 and that 52 jobs would have to be cut in order to make up the difference unless a burdensome tax hike is passed. The East Metro Libertarian Party (EMLP) feels that there are better solutions available.
According to the party’s vice chair, Jason Pye, there are many options on the table other than cutting multiple positions or forcing property owners to pay higher tax rates. Says Pye, “First off, we don’t need to rush into raising taxes. There is still time to work this out and get more public input.” He goes on to say, “Rather than slashing jobs, the Board of Commissioners needs take the issue head on before picking county residents’ pockets for more cash. For example, how many administrators and department heads are making over, let’s say, $75,000? How many are making over $100,000? Public salaries and benefits have long been out of step with their private sector counterparts. Also, how inefficient and redundant are some departments? How much is being spent for travel expenses, office supplies, communications, etc.? Everything needs to be scrutinized.”
Specifically, the East Metro Libertarians are calling for a 10 percent reduction of any salaries over $100,000 and a 5 percent cut for those over $60,000. They are calling for an additional 3 percent decrease per department above what has already been announced; exempting the sheriff’s and fire departments. They also suggest a 10 percent decrease for the Planning and Zoning and the Tax Assessor’s office, respectively, and a 50 percent decrease for the County Attorney’s office.
“The Board of Commissioners should roll up their sleeves and find areas to cut. As a policy measure, we also suggest that the BOC use zero-based budgeting, which would require each department to justify its spending,” adds Pye.
The party calls on the people of Newton County to talk to their Commissioners and let their voices be heard by attending the BOC hearing at the county courthouse on Tuesday, June 21st.
The East Metro Atlanta Libertarian Party, founded in 2005, is an affiliate of the State of Georgia Libertarian Party and has worked to advance the ideals of freedom and liberty in the east metro Atlanta area. They can be reached via email at [email protected] or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eastmetrolp.
