“ Counties Working Together” A plan for county and regional collaboration

1. “Counties Working Together” A plan for county and regional collaboration 2009 District Meetings

2. 2010 Legislative Priorities • Transportation Funding • Fiscal Accountability • Local Sales Tax Collections 2009 District Meetings

3. Transportation Funding • Counties are responsible for the majority of the state’s transportation infrastructure. • Debate on funding will be center-stage, again. • Discussions are focusing on enabling local governments to propose a TSPLOST. 2009 District Meetings

4. Fiscal Accountability • The state, counties and cities are required to balance their budgets • Georgia counties, unlike the state and cities, face unique challenges in navigating the budget crisis • No control over large parts of their budget • Limited flexibility with funding sources • There is a disconnect between service responsibility and revenue raising authority 2009 District Meetings

5. Fiscal AccountabilityState and County Shared Responsibilities • Housing Inmates • County: 42% growth • State: 18% growth • Road Maintenance & Management • Counties responsible for 83,531 miles or 72% of state’s road network • State responsible for 18,087 miles or 16% of state’s road network • Public Safety • Counties provide 1 law enforcement vehicle for every 778 citizens • State provides 1 law enforcement vehicle for every 6273 Georgians • Court Costs • Counties pay for at least 80% of the court system in Georgia • Counties pay approximately 60% of the cost of indigent defense whereas the state is paying for 40% of the cost for the superior and juvenile court level. 2009 District Meetings

6. Fiscal AccountabilityCounty Support of State Services • DFACS Buildings • County Extension Offices • DDS Buildings • Local Health Department Buildings • GBI Buildings • State Patrol Buildings • State Libraries • Mental Health/Substance Abuse/Developmental Disabilities • Georgia Forestry Commission Buildings 2009 District Meetings

7. County Requirements • Separate 911Audit Report • Solid Waste Management • Compliance with GASB Regulations • Provides Tax Digest for other levels of Government • Tags and Titles for the State • Courts • Taxpayer Bill of Rights • Indigent Defense • Elections • Comprehensive Planning • Service Delivery • Annual Financial Report • Handicap Decals for the State 2009 District Meetings

8. 2009 District Meetings

9. Fiscal AccountabilityState Discretion in Balancing Budget • The state, with the exception of the Motor Fuel Tax, has more discretion with its revenues • Fee and Trust Fund Redirection: • Hazardous Waste Trust Fund • Solid Waste Trust Fund • Prepaid 911 Fees • Indigent Defense Fund • Sales Tax Administrative Fee • 2008 Unidentifiable Local Sales Tax Proceeds • Regrettably, funding for these programs shifts to counties or services will not be provided 2009 District Meetings

10. Hazardous Waste Trust Fund 2009 District Meetings

11. Solid Waste Trust Fund 2009 District Meetings

12. Fiscal Accountability County Revenues Legally Restricted • Many county revenues are legally restricted and cannot be redirected in times of budget crisis: • SPLOST, LOST, HOST • Hotel/Motel Tax • Impact Fees • 911 Fees • Building License and Permits • Storm Water Utility Fees • All the various fees collected by constitutional officers and the courts set by state statute • Fiscal Accountability: vesting service responsibility and revenue generation in same elected body 2009 District Meetings

13. Local Sales Tax Collection • Collection Compliance • LOST Renegotiations • Information Sharing with DOR • PILOT Project • Unidentifiable Sales Tax 2009 District Meetings

14. Other Legislative Issues • Property Tax • Fees • Water • Stormwater • Transparency in Government • Cell Towers 2009 District Meetings

15. State BudgetDeclining State Revenues • January 2009: Governor proposed FY 2010 Budget - $18.5 billion (10.23% over the final FY09 revenues). • February 2009: Governor lowered estimate to $16.99 billion (1.36% over the final FY09 revenues). • August 2009: Governor projects revenues to come in at $16.1 billion (3.72% below FY09 actual revenues). 2009 District Meetings

16. How the State is Covering the Shortfall Source: Office of the Lieutenant Governor 2009 District Meetings

17. State Budget Impacts on Counties • Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Trust Fund • 911 Prepaid • GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvements Grants • One Georgia • Forestland Protection Act • Crime Labs • Indigent Defense • Mental Health Services 2009 District Meetings

18. Connecting with the Capitol • Establish a personal connection with legislators • Understand the legislative process • Watch for ACCG’s Legislative Updates, Budget Updates and Action Alerts • Stay engaged and informed 2009 District Meetings

19. Legislative Tracking Landing Page 2009 District Meetings

20. Legislative Tracking Database 2009 District Meetings

21. Example of a Bill Search 2009 District Meetings

22. ACCG Services • Insurance Program • Retirement • Financial Services • Training & Leadership • Consulting & Assistance • Discounts for Counties 2009 District Meetings

23. Georgia County Internship Program(GCIP) • Offering internship opportunities for college and graduate students in counties • Cultivating interest in working in county government for the next generation • To apply for the program, contact Michele NeSmith at 404-522-5022 or mnesmith@accg.org 2009 District Meetings

24. Questions & Comments 2009 District Meetings