Walker County, Ga., Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell on Thursday approved an 18 percent county budget increase for the next fiscal year.
During a 3 p.m. meeting, Heiskell asked if anybody wanted to discuss the county's new budget. Nobody said anything, and with that the budget was final.
In all, according to figures provided by the county, Walker County will spend $22.5 million in the next fiscal year -- a $3.5 million increase from the current budget.
This increase corresponds with the uptick in property taxes that local residents have to pay. The increase was approved after a series of tense public meetings this month. As a result, residents will now have to pay about 15 percent more on the portion of their property taxes that go toward county government.
A family that owns about $100,000 in property will have to pay about $120 more a year -- about $10 per month.
"I hope you can pay your taxes," Heiskell told a crowd during a meeting on Sept. 11. "I hope I can, too."
This year marks the first time since 2010 that property taxes are going up in Walker County. Heiskell has said this increase comes only because she took on debt for years to avoid raising taxes. She has said several times this month that she has no choice but to charge citizens more money.
Compared to last year's budget, these are the biggest increases in Walker County spending:
-- A $1 million increase for something listed on the budget as "other financial services." Heiskell has not been clear on what specifically that money goes toward.
-- A $780,000 increase in spending on paving streets.
-- A $700,000 increase for "debt services."
-- A $240,000 increase for Walker County jail operations.
-- A $170,000 increase to the county's tax assessor.
These are the greatest budget decreases, compared to last year:
-- An $80,000 drop for county police.
-- A $50,000 drop for the public health administration.
-- A $40,000 drop for planning and zoning.
-- A $40,000 drop in economic development.
-- A $30,000 drop in records management.
Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at tjett@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6476.