Politics & Government

Commissioners Trim Costs by $1.5 Million

Twenty Gwinnett firefighter positions to remain unfilled.

ew cost cutting measures approved Tuesday by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will save the county an estimated $1.5 million.

The approved cuts include $722,000 from theFire and Emergency Services budget and $127,000 from the Gwinnett County Police Department budget. Elections, transportation, support services and community services budgets will also be cut. Additionally, minor reductions in law, fleet, water, sewer and stormwater expenses were included.

Four jobs will be eliminated -- three vacant jobs in transportation and one in transit -- and 20 vacant firefighter positions will remain unfilled.

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Commissioners also approved a recommendation to increase fees for participants in the Work Alternative Program. First time offenders in the community work service program will now pay a registration fee of $110, an increase of $25 from the previous fee, and will pay a daily fee of $10 beginning May 1.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said she appreciated the voluntary cuts made by the different departments.

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“Earlier spending reductions and fee increases taken with the actions we approved today improve the County’s financial outlook not only this year but in 2012 and 2013 where we will likely face continuing challenges resulting from a declining property tax digest,” Nash said in a released statement. “We intend to keep looking at operating efficiencies, cost cutting opportunities, ways to generate additional revenue, and service priorities as we recognize our current reality. Like everyone, though, we look forward to an economic recovery.”


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