“We’ve come a long way”

At a December 29th special meeting, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners approved its 2012 Budget. Finances have taken a toll on the County this year, as it struggled to balance its budget in the wake of a persisting recessional economy coupled with the burden of heavy debt. Sheriff Stacy Nicholson and other Department Heads attended the meeting to give some closing comments of gratitude for the Board and County Staff’s hard work with the Budget this year.

“I would like to personally thank (commissioners) Will and Danny for their dedication and their persistence,”

Commissioner Chairman J.C. Sanford said. He also thanked County Financial Officer Faye Harvey for all of her hard work on balancing the budget.

“It’s been a team effort,” he said, “from bottom to top.”

During the discussion, Harvey noted that the County borrowed a million dollars less than it did last year on the TAN note. However, perhaps looking ahead to next years L.O.S.T. (Local Option Sales Tax) negotiations with Ellijay and East Ellijay, Chairman Sanford cited that the County received a million dollars less in 2011 than it did in 2010 from sales tax, evidence of an ailing economy.

In the end, though, Sanford seemed optimistic about the upcoming year.

“We’ve come a long way,” he said in closing, “and the picture has improved a lot.”

Below is the 2012 Proposed Budget that was approved today