Gilmer County commissioners are looking at cutting $3.6 million out of the requests they have received for the 2025 budget.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris said commissioners concluded three days of meetings with department heads and elected officials over requested budgets.
“Now we are going to have to do the nitty-gritty of sitting down and cutting,” he said.
Estimated revenues for the 2025 maintenance and operations budgets are $39.55 million. This is less than last year’s $41.25 million budget.
“We try to predict revenue fairly conservatively,” said Paris.
Budgeting begins with elected officials and department heads submitting proposed budgets to commissioners.
“Then we spend three days with them,” Paris said.
During this time, department heads and elected officials justify their budgets and answer questions.
Following the meetings, commissioners began pruning and hammering the budget into place.
Two main sources of increases were identified by Paris.
“As always, it is primarily salaries,” he said.
This year he said employees may still get an increase, but not as substantial as in the past few years.
Inflation is another issue affecting the budget. Paris said a truck he might have gotten for $30,000 in the past is now going for $50,000.
Employee insurance has also seen an increase of $1 million.
Paris said the departments may not get all their requests, but they will get some.
“It is very conservative,” he said. “But, not belt-tightening, yet.”
He said cuts will make the jobs of the department heads and elected officials a bit more difficult, but should not be noticed by the public.
“I think it is going to end up being a good budget,” Paris said.
He expects commissioners to work up to December before having final budget for approval.