Murray County: New commissioner battling bad economy

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — It’s hard to get just your feet wet in the midst of an economic tidal wave.

In his first month in office, Murray County Sole Commissioner David Ridley is up against a deteriorating economy that’s hitting everyone.

With tax revenues sinking, Mr. Ridley said he’s considering shutting down Murray County government operations for one day a month, which would save the county $350,000 per year.

If that’s not enough, he said a two-day-a-month furlough may be necessary. He’s also talking with 11 county employees who are above retirement age to gauge how much longer they want to work.

Layoffs or cutting positions is a last resort to trim the county’s $15.9 million budget, he said.

“We’re hoping it doesn’t come to any of that, but if the economy doesn’t turn around that’s what we’re going to have to do,” Mr. Ridley said.

The Republican commissioner already has delayed phase two of a $3 million county recreation complex until the spring of 2010.

Tommy Parker, assistant to the commissioner, said the first phase, with two gyms and a walking track, will be complete this spring. The second phase will include two athletic fields and another walking track.

Mr. Ridley said one of his goals for the mostly rural county of 41,000 is to lure large retail businesses to keep shoppers at home. Revitalizing the economic development authority and working with cities also are vital, he added.

“No matter what type of facility is built in Murray County, whether it’s built in Murray, Eton or Chatsworth, all three entities benefit from this as far as tax dollars go,” he said.

A freeport tax exemption on business inventory needs to go on the local ballot in the next two years to make the county more attractive to the textile industry, he said. Whitfield County voters approved freeport tax exemptions in November and those will go into effect in 2010.