The Hall County Board of Commissioners adopted a budget Tuesday night for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2019, and ends June 30, 2020.
The 2019 General Fund millage rate, which is the property tax rate that supports general maintenance and operations, was reduced from 5.360 mills to 5.098 mills, representing a full rollback due to revaluation. The Fire Fund millage rate, which supports Fire Services, remains at 2.65 mills for unincorporated residents and 4.08 for incorporated residents.
As a reminder, three new tax service districts were carved out of the General Fund last year as a result of the 2017 Service Delivery Agreement. Those tax service districts and their millage rates include Emergency Services at 0.571 mills, Development Services at 1.005 mills, and Parks & Leisure at 0.364 mills. Those 2019 millage rates remain the same as the 2018 rates.
"Hall County Government has continued to improve its financial outlook through conservative fiscal management by staff and elected officials," Hall County Administrator Jock Connell said. "This balanced budget supports the long-term goals of Hall County and continues to reflect conservative financial management while recognizing our residents’ desires for effective and efficient services."
The General Fund budget is $103.65 million and includes major functions of the government, including public safety, public works, judicial, general government and libraries. In addition to the General Fund, the Fire Fund and three new tax service districts, the total county budget includes other operating and capital funds that are self-supported by user fees and other revenue sources. The total county budget for all funds is $276.71 million.
"The 2020 budget reflects continued investment in employee retention endeavors, including pay, benefit structure, succession planning and retirement as stated in the Hall County Strategic Plan," Hall County Financial Services Director Zach Propes said. "It also includes capital investments, including facility roof replacements, public safety vehicles, road improvements and sewer system enhancements that coincide with the County’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.”
Hall County held a public hearing on the FY 2020 budget on June 13 prior to budget adoption.
The FY 2020 budget is available at www.hallcounty.org.