On Thursday, December 15th, Pickens County Commissioner Robert Jones held a public hearing to introduce the County’s proposed 2012 Budget.The hearing was the first of two hearing regarding the budget. County Chief Financial Officer Mechelle Champion was also present to discuss the figures for the upcoming year. Champion explained that next year’s proposed budget reflects a decrease in revenues.

“The decrease,” she said, “is coming from the Community Center; we won’t be building our Community Center in 2012.”

Revenues went from $21,886,771 in 2011 to $19,313,490 in the proposed 2012 Budget. On the expenditures side, Champion explained that the County tried to hold the departments down to a one percent increase. However, she said, the budget reflects a few exceptions. For example, public safety was increased two percent, due, she said, to courtroom traffic. Upon approval of the budget, another department that will increase is Elections.

“You’ll see a big increase in that department because elections are on a four-year cycle,” she elaborated, “This is a big election year, so they have to have more for the budget.”

Pickens, of course, is not the only county increasing funding in this area. Every county around the nation is gearing up the 2012 Presidential Election. However, Pickens County will have a unique election in 2012. Pickens will be shifting from a one commissioner government to a board of three commissioners. In November, three public hearings were held to introduce the new voting districts for the two new commissioner posts. The two districts are sundered into the eastern and western parts of the county, essentially divided by Old Highway 5, with some slight variations. The maps of these new districts are expected to go to legislature next month for approval for elections later in the year.

Champion said that The Road Department’s budget is also decreasing because the County has paid off some of its leases. Also, the Superior Court’s budget is increasing slightly, she notes, because it is receiving more grants.

Although the Proposed 2012 Budget is balanced, it has decreased by five percent. The next budget hearing will be held on December 29th, at 9 A.M. at the Pickens County Administrative Building, when the budget will be approved by Commissioner Jones.

Pickens County Government
General Fund
Proposed Budget
2012 Budget

Revenues
Taxes $13,614,930
Licenses and permits 233,288
Fines & forfeitures 383,200
Charges for services 3,388,322
Intergovernmental 1,573,837
Interest income 35,000
Other revenues 81,401
Contributions 1,500
Total Revenues 19,311,478

Expenditures
Commissioner 146,725
County Clerk 134,740
Elections 265,288
General Administration 279,586
Finance 149,800
Accounting 74,052
Law 125,000
Human Resources 54,379
Tax Commissioner 530,845
Tax Assessor 491,761
General Government Buildings 505,034
Public Information 79,103
General Administration Fees 30,300

Total General Government 2,866,613

Judicial Administration 57,963
Family Law Center 78,604
Guardians (GAL) 2,000
Mental Health Court 9,073
Superior Court 230,544
Visitation Center Coordinator 35,347
Clerk of Court 545,802
District Attorney / VAWA 464,645
Magistrate 251,485
Probate 305,020
Juvenile 560,791
Grand Jury 1,000
Board of Equalization 5,000
Public Defender 200,000
Indigent Defense Attorneys 20,000

Total Judicial 2,767,274

Sheriff 5,157,042
Adult Probation 545,179
Drug Abuse Funds 20,000
Fire Administration 123,352
Fire Departments 1,046,508
EMS Administration 306,547
Emergency Medical Service 1,607,373
EMS Stations & Buildings 44,082
Coroner 33,599
Animal Control 111,232
E911 18,285
Emergency Management 42,250

Total Public Safety 9,055,449

Public Works Admn. 77,551
Roads Administration 97,835
Roads 1,480,791
Paved Streets 127,400
Unpaved Streets 58,800
Bridges 19,600
Street Lighting 9,800
Traffic Engineering 79,066
Solid Waste 593,020
Public Education/KPB 24,475
Maintenance & Shop 117,241

Total Public Works 2,685,579

Health 83,500
Regulation 342
Health Dept. Buildings 5,782
Welfare 28,380
Senior Center 15,817
Transportation Service 71,998

Total Health & Welfare 205,819

Recreation Administration 138,325
Participant Recreation 113,832
Recreation Centers 132,270
Swimming Pools 28,251
Special Facilities & Activities 30,899
Libraries 6,650
Library Administration 262,708
Branch Libraries 1,800

Total Culture & Recreation 714,735

Arts Council 2,500
Agricultural 53,882
Building Inspection 148,518
Planning & Development 284,929
County Marshall 49,490
Economic Development 50,000

Total Housing & Development 589,319

Other Financing Uses 426,690

Total Expenditures $ 19,311,478