The roll of the Financial Office is to oversee the financial activities of the county, ensure that all departments and elected offices operate within the limits of the approved budget and provide accountability to the citizens for funds expended.

The fiscal year 2006 budget has several components ranging from General Fund to Sewerage. Below is an explanation of the major items associated with the FY2006 Budget.

General Fund revenues are $25,918,321, which is a $3,422,967 or 15.20% increase over the previous year’s budget (excluding $2,002,716 funded from reserves last year). The majority of this increase is attributable to the following revenue or funding sources:

• Real Property Taxes – A total increase of $446,181 or 7.14% over the prior year’s budget. This increase is the result of recent property reassessments as well as real growth within the County. Consequently, in order to balance the budget, the millage rate will remain at 6.766.
• Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) – A total increase of $567,154 or 12,38% over the previous year’s budget. As you can see from the graph below, the County has seen a significant increase in L.O.S.T. revenues over the past several years. Our renegotiations with the Cities, which resulted in the County receiving an additional 1% of L.O.S.T and a strong local economy, will contribute to this increase as well.
• Ambulance Fees – Last year the Board of Commissioners decided to return the EMS Billing to County Personnel. Consequently revenues have increased from $870,000 to $1,200,000, which is a $330,000 or 37.93% increase

Law Library Fund revenues are $25,100, which is a $5,000 or 24.88% increase over the previous year’s budget. The increase is a result of additional revenue from fines and forfeitures.

Confiscated Assets Fund revenues are $81,000 based on the estimate that was given to us by the Sheriff’s Office. This is a $30,500 or 60.40% increase over the previous year’s budget. This amount fluctuates from year to year depending on the number of cases that the Sheriff’s Office handles.

E-911 Fund revenues are $703.000, which is a 3.50% increase over the previous year. An operating transfer of $491,678 from the General Fund is needed because the amount of revenues generated from E-911 charges is not able to cover the operating costs of the center. This transfer represents a $122,800 or 19.98% decrease from last year.

Fire Tax Fund revenues are $2,471,876. This is a $246,749 or 11.09% increase over last year’s budget. The difference between expenses and revenues will be funded from current reserves.

Sewage Treatment Fund revenues are $1,267,000, which is a $732,000 or 136.82% increase over last year’s budget. The increase can be attributable to fee increases, addition of the Statham facility and the additional revenue that 2005 rezones will bring into the County. The difference between revenues and expenses will be used to fund the construction of Barber Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and sewer line extensions.

Water Fund revenues are $1,084,000, which is a $4,000 or 0.37% increase over last year. The difference between revenues and expenses will be used to fund future capital needs of the water transmission line.