Dear editor:
I do not believe in revisionist history. I do not believe that the United States was founded in 1619, nor do I believe that Commissioners Brown, Irvin and Addison saved Putnam County from fiscal disaster as suggested in Commissioner Brown’s Letter to the Editor (June 16, 2022). What I do believe are facts. So let me give the readers some facts and let them interpret history.
FACT: In 2013 I took office as Chairman of the County Commission along with Commissioners Fred Ward, Janie Reid, Alan Foster and Billy Webster. The Commission inherited a budget (approved in 2012) which contained an artificially low millage rate--5.4 mills--called for $17 million in spending and projected a $3.5-million deficit. The FY13 audit (end of year financial statement) showed a $2.8-million deficit which had to be drawn from the Fund Balance.
FACT: For FY14, the first budget set by the new Commission, expenses were held at $17 million, the millage rate was increased to 7.4 mills and the FY14 audit showed an $800,000 surplus.
FACT: Over the next 3 years, despite a declining tax digest and lower sales tax (LOST, SPLOST) revenues, the Commission was able to maintain a relatively constant level of audited expenditures (4.8 % increase from FY14 to FY17) and millage rate (7.4 mills, FY14 to FY16; 8.3 mills FY17 and FY18) while maintaining an unrestricted Fund Balance at or above $2 million.
FACT: While there were deficits in those years (2014-2018), this was primarily due to the fact that the Commission leveraged the Fund Balance and SPLOST revenues in order to accomplish major capital projects --repaved 50 miles of roads, built a waterline to Rock Eagle Tech Park, created new facilities for the Health Department.
FACT: In each year, FY14 to FY17, the County received a “clean” audit--no material findings.
These are some of the facts concerning fiscal management in the years preceding Commissioners Brown, Addison and Irvin taking office. Did Putnam County need saving from fiscal mismanagement? You judge.
Steve Hersey
Former Chairman