Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County adopted a $27,689,610 million budget Monday morning during a continuation of their June 5 meeting. There was no increase to the property tax rate of .43 per $100 valuation.
Commissioner Randy Nichols said he was pleased the board had been able to increase the budget while not increasing taxes, but cautioned that scenario can not last forever.
“The budget was $19 million when we started,” Nichols said. “No tax increase in the past 12 years. Unfortunately, I’m not sure we can say that many more years.” The board has heard from several entities requesting funding during the past several months. Among them were Clay Central Fire & Rescue and Clay County School System.
Clay County’s four fire districts, which exclude the Town of Hayesville, are now equally taxed at .04. Previously Hayesville Fire District was taxed at .03. The fi re tax is included in property owner’s tax bill. “This equalizes the fire tax across the county and is projected to generate approximately $150,000 in addition revenue for the Clay County Fire Department,” explained County Manager Debbie Mauney. “This increase is necessary to meet the rising costs to the fire department.”
Schools
$2,099,916.00 to the Clay County Board of Education. Other revisions to the original budget proposal included:
General Fund Adjustments
• $150,000 transferred to purchase property for the arena project.
• $75,000 transferred to the Board of Education for sustainability of budget and raises.
Sheriff ’s office
• $75,000 reallocated from OT line item to the salary line to cover holiday pay for full time staff.
• $25,000 remains OT budget.
Detention Center
$40,000 moved from the OT line to the salary line to cover holiday pay. $20,000 remains in OT budget.