Board of Commissioners Approves 2019 Budget

by in News

By a 4 to 3 vote, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners passed the 2019 fiscal year budget during their January 23 meeting.

“The budget adopted by the Board addresses many of the major issues affecting our citizens while maintaining our fund balance and lowering the millage rate,” said Chairman Robb Pitts. “This budget also includes approximately $13.5 million for employee pay for performance bonuses and a 3% mid-year cost of living increase.”

The $1.1 billion budget, including $719 million in the General Fund, includes a number of enhancements to key Fulton County programs.

These include funding in the following areas:

  • $4 million behavioral health services, including $620,000 for Grady Hospital to increase capacity at its Medication-Assisted Treatment Clinic for opioid addiction; and expansion of core behavioral health services.
  • $1.1 million for expansion of the Pre-Arrest Diversion Program;
  • $3.4 million for Senior Services, as well as $2 million for facility upgrades to senior centers.
  • $1.5 million for public health services, including enhanced resources for HIV/AIDS testing and treatment.
  • $2 million for youth programming in the Department of Community Services;
  • $1.3 million for arts programming, including $300,000 for the Johns Creek Arts Center, $250,000 for the National Black Arts Festival, increases to the Living Out Loud Senior Arts Initiative, and increases to the Contracts for Services Program
  • $5.7 million for the Justice Reinvestment Investment, in addition to $2 million to assist the Fulton County District Attorney and Solicitor General reduce caseloads in an effort to comply with the American Bar Association;
  • $420,000 for the Juvenile Court for a Youth Crime Prevention Program;
  • $250,000 for a feasibility study for an updated Fulton County Animal Shelter;
  • $1.3 million for security improvements, including equipment and personnel, as well as $1.0 million for Continuity of Operations and $600,000 for Emergency Management personnel and operations;
  • $600,000 for expansion of digital library materials;
  • $500,000 for facilities updates for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
  • $2.4 million for economic development and workforce development activities, including $1 million for workforce development at Fort MacPherson, expanded industry relations programs, film outreach and more;
  • $1.5 million for Cybersecurity updates and $4.1 million for updated computers, software, and hardware;
  • $3.2 million for continued updates in technology to support ongoing improvements to the property tax system.

The 2019 General Fund budget takes into consideration a projected reduction in the millage rate and a slight reallocation of resources across departments and agencies in order to provide resources to the priorities outlined by the Board.

FGTV’s Highlighted Story: 2019 Fulton County Budget Approved

Did your favorite county service or program get approved in the 2019 Fulton County Budget? Here’s the rundown in this FGTV story. https://youtu.be/6f-XzdtqK44?t=53 

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