10/29/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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' OCT 29 1981�j BOOK 4 7 PAGE 857 Finance Officer Barton reported that the total tax increase for this fund is $858,000 over last year, and the new assessments on new construction will pick up $300,000 of that, leaving $500,000 to be passed on to everything that existed last year. Paul Margel stated that he wished to see figures on every penny spent. Commissioner Scurlock explained the procedure of holding budget hearings during the year, which anyone can attend, and noted that at -these hearings, the Commission goes over every expenditure by every department line by line - chairs, tables, personnel, etc. He believed some of the Commissioners still have specific items where they feel more cuts could be made. Mr. Margel stated that the public does"not want the County to spend this extra $500,000, and he then made an impassioned speech about high assessments. William Friesell of Live Oak road felt the basic problem goes back to 1979 when the County got a windfall and did not cut the millage commensurate with the gain.He wished to know if anyone has taken the State to task for all the mandated expenditures imposed on the"counties. Finance Officer Barton confirmed that the State mandates programs we must fund, and we have made great efforts to reason with the State on this issue. It was noted that one other factor affecting the situation is the increase in the Homestead Exemption which has shifted the burden of the taxes onto those who have a higher value property and an additional factor is that the \ � State used to pay back to the.counties the amount of money lost through Homestead Exemptions, but they do not do this any more; so, this loss of revenue has to be made up from other sources. In discussion it was felt we have lost about $700,000 or $800,000 through Homestead Exemptions. William Stevenson stated that the Commission devises budgets to get what they need and plays musical chairs with 4