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Winder’s 2009 fiscal year wasn’t exactly what Mayor Chip Thompson was expecting.
As the year draws to a close, and as the city is planning to adopt a new budget next Monday, Barrow’s county seat has seen the elimination of positions and citywide restructuring in an effort to keep Winder from being overcome by debt.
The FY09 was designed with continued growth anticipated, Thompson said, and when the economy slowed, the budget had to be modified.
"We were geared for growth," he said, "then we had no growth."
He said he knew that the city was going to face financial difficulties in the fall, but that he looked other places before finally releasing employees in January.
"January was a tough month, knowing what we were about to do," Thompson said.
Only he and a few city employees — like Finance Director Leslie Ginn and City Administrator Bob Beck — were privy to the issues in the budget.
The Georgia Municipal Association ran a study to show which positions would be able to be eliminated but still keep the city running effectively.
Many of the employees — like crews who installed taps or building inspectors — were let go because the building market had slowed so much.
The budget cuts have helped the city’s budget, Thompson noted, though the fiscal year may still end in the red. However, it will be nowhere near initial predictions, which had been as much as $1 million.
The city does have money in its reserve funds — more actually than last year.Despite that, the FY2010 budget continues to show conservative planning compared to years past, and Thompson has no plans to do any big spending.
You keep those reserve funds for a rainy day, he said, and "this year has been that rainy day."
Looking at the proposed budget, Thompson said he is hopeful no more layoffs will be made for the city, a decision he called the hardest in his life.
One option the city has mentioned in brainstorming sessions, but Thompson does not want to have to implement, is property taxes.
The city currently does not have general property taxes, although they do have a fire tax.
Thompson said if the city adds taxes, it is for a specific thing, rather than a generalized tax.
"I would like to think we can" avoid adding a tax to city residents, he said.
The council will vote on the proposed budget Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Winder Community Center.
Due to concerns from the public about the ease of understanding the budget, the City has created a list of highlights for its residents.
