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Cutting Cost
To help reduce cost, 12 operating departments will spend about $6 million liess in 2011. -
Commissioners lower millage rate
The Board of Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;">lowered the millage rate</span> slightly, reducing the county government portion of the tax bill by 1.9 percent and offsetting increased revenue from property reassessments. -
Gwinnett announces 10 years of triple-AAA credit ratings
All three bond rating agencies – Fitch, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s – <span style="text-decoration: underline;">reaffirmed AAA credit ratings for Gwinnett County</span> for the <strong>10th straight year</strong>. -
Commissioners lower property tax rate
The Board of Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;">lowered the property tax rate</span><strong> </strong>slightly from 11.08 mills to 10.97 mills, reducing the county government portion of the tax bill for the typical home by about one percent. -
Hiring freeze starts
Gwinnett County implemented a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hiring freeze</span> that will save about $4.5 million over 12 months. -
Rating agencies reaffirm Gwinnett’s financial stability
Gwinnett County retained the highest <span style="text-decoration: underline;">AAA credit rating</span> from Standard and Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Moody’s Investor Services. At the time, Gwinnett was among only 22 other U.S. counties to have triple-AAA bond ratings. -
Service-Value-Responsibility project finds $40 million
County Administration announced the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Service-Value-Responsibility project</span>, a comprehensive services review and cost management project. -
Interim 2009 budget includes $26 million in reductions
The Board of Commissioners adopted an <span style="text-decoration: underline;">interim budget for 2009</span> but warned of more changes ahead. -
Rebate offered to residents who replace inefficient toilets
Gwinnett County extended a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">rebate offer to residents who replace old, inefficient toilets</span> with new, conservation models. -
Water revenues hold their own despite lower water usage
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="_blank" href="#jan2109">Even with lower water usage, revenues did not decrease at the same rate. -
Fire supplies inventory system upgrade results in savings
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services announced a <strong>$96,000 savings in 2008 </strong>by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">upgrading the supplies inventory system</a></span>. -
Water and sewer base rates increase
Water Resources received a green light to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">raise water and sewer base rates</span> slightly ($7.30 to $7.50) starting in July 2009. -
Final 2009 budget adopted, anticipates millage increase
The Board of Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;">adopted the final 2009 budget</span> at $1.71 billion. -
Enviromental Sustainability promotes energy savings goals
In an effort to be green and save green, Gwinnett County announced the <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gwinnett Environmental Sustainability Program</span>. -
With property tax increase off the table, deficits loom
Following a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">decision not to raise property taxes</span>, the Board directed County staff to immediately balance the 2009 budget while preserving core services and then to work on closing the looming budget deficits in 2010 ($60 million), 2011 ($45 million), and 2012 ($44 million). -
First in series of deep spending cuts announced
Commissioners approved the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">first in a series of service reductions to balance the 2009 budget and the five-year financial plan</span>. -
Gwinnett becomes ENERGY STAR partner
Gwinnett County</strong> further demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">becoming </span><a href="http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/boc/pdf/History of Cutting the Budget/09 Budget Cuts/071609_DoSS_EnergyStarPartnership.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">an ENERGY STAR Partner </span></a>with the US Environmental Protection Agency. -
Deep spending cuts include eliminating 250 jobs
Commissioners made $39.3 million in future spending cuts</a></span>, warning that the service reductions would “ripple through” the County budgets for many years to come as the County continues to find ways to bring rising expenses in line with decreasing revenue forecasts. -
Fuel purchasing co-op to save money
Gwinnett started a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">fuel purchasing co-op</span> with 15 other local government agencies. The program is <strong>expected to save about $65,000 per year</strong> in gasoline and diesel fuel costs. -
Federal stimulus funds help expand traffic monitoring system
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">expanded its traffic monitoring system using federal stimulus funds</span>. -
Public safety gets support from federal stimulus, state grant
Gwinnett County Police <span style="text-decoration: underline;">accepted more than $500,000 in grants and will share $1 million in federal stimulus</span> funds with other public safety and court agencies. -
Federal stimulus, state grants fund various programs
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">received $4.5 million in federal stimulus dollars and state grants</span> to help fund various services, county operations, and construction of a senior services center. -
Engage Gwinnett: Committee on the Future of Gwinnett takes shape
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="#aug2009">launched a community initiative called <em>Engage Gwinnett: Committee on the Future of Gwinnett County</em></a></span>. -
More than 200 employees take retirement incentive
The County announced that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">202 of 316 employees will retire under an incentive offer</span>. -
Federal stimulus supports three major wastewater projects
Gwinnett County again <span style="text-decoration: underline;">received federal stimulus funding with $18.5 million in support</span> for three major wastewater construction projects aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability. -
GJAC building closes on weekends, holidays to save money
The Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center began closing on weekends and holidays</a></span> and at 10:00pm most weekday evenings. -
Aggressive efforts to obtain stimulus pay off: $120 million
So far in 2009, Gwinnett County’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;">aggressive efforts to obtain federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have paid off with stimulus grants totaling $120 million</span> coming through various federal and state agencies. -
Elected, constitutional officials cut budgets
Gwinnett County adjusted the budget again after <span style="text-decoration: underline;">elected officials and constitutional officers agreed to $1.9 million in budget cuts</span> within their departments. Additionally, Probate Court worked with HR to offer a retirement incentive program that would save $59,295 in 2010. -
Federal stimulus funds energy audits, other green projects
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">obtained $7.3 million in federal stimulus funds</span> through the U.S. Department of Energy for energy audits, energy-efficient equipment retrofits, conversion of traffic signals to LED lights, and a methane gas waste-to-energy project. -
Citizen-led Engage Gwinnett committee members selected
The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="#sep1609">members of the citizen-led <em>Engage Gwinnett</em></a></span> committeewere announced, including 10 members selected from among fellow citizens who attended a public forum and 30 appointed representatives from as many stakeholder groups. -
Gwinnett’s excellent credit ratings reaffirmed
The three credit rating agencies <span style="text-decoration: underline;">reaffirmed Gwinnett County’s credit as triple-AAA</span>, which was anticipated to result in $3.1 million in interest savings on the refinance of $260 million in revenue bonds. -
Tax allocation districts will revitalize communities
Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;">approved five tax allocation districts</span> to help <strong>revitalize older areas of the county</strong>. -
Proposal would restore some services
Gwinnett County officials <span style="text-decoration: underline;">outlined a proposal that would restore some of the spending reductions made earlier this year</span> to the county’s public safety, parks and recreation and social services programs. -
Reduction in force cuts 19 jobs
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">continued to trim its workforce by 19 staff positions</span> through a reduction in force in the Planning and Development Department. -
Federal stimulus supports transit
Federal stimulus funds helped support Gwinnett Transit operating costs</a></span> in the amount of $970,512, or 10 percent of the total $9.4 million transportation-related American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant the County received. -
Millage increase restores key services
The Board of Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;">raised the raise property tax rate</span> by 2.28 mills in order to <strong>restore some key services</strong> that were cut earlier this year. -
Reduction in force cuts 12 jobs
Gwinnett County made <span style="text-decoration: underline;">further workforce reductions by cutting 12 staff positions in Tax Assessor's Office</span> and outsourcing commercial real estate and personal property assessments. -
Proposed 2010 budget down $387 million
The Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2010 budget proposal</span> outlined a countywide budget of $1.323 billion, <strong>down $387 million</strong> from the $1.71 billion budget adopted last March for fiscal year 2009. -
County outsources collection of outstanding taxes, fees
Gwinnett County hired a contractor to help <span style="text-decoration: underline;">identify businesses or individuals that owe</span> business occupation taxes, alcohol excise taxes, E-911 fees and cable television franchise fees and collect outstanding revenue. -
Energy management controls save money
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">implemented energy management controls</span> expected to cut the water system’s annual electricity cost by about $400,000, a 10 percent reduction. -
Adopted 2010 budget emphasizes public safety, still lower
Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="_blank" href="#jan510">adopted a 2010 budget of $1.33 billion</a></span>, down from $1.71 billion in 2009. -
Judges take furlough days
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="_blank" href="#jan2710">judges agreed to additional furlough days</a></span> in 2010. A total of 21 Gwinnett judges have taken voluntary furloughs. -
Water customers save 54 million gallons of water a year
Gwinnett residents are now <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="_blank" href="#mar910">saving 54 million gallons of water annually</a></span> thanks to a rebate program for homeowners who replace old, inefficient toilets. -
Opportunity zone designation encourages job creation
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#apr610">received state approval for an Opportunity Zone</a></span> at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and I-85. -
Engage Gwinnett presents recommendations
After six months of study and debate, <em><span>Engage Gwinnett </span></em><a target="" href="#apr2810">presented its final recommendations to the Board of Commissioners<span></span></a>. -
2010 millage rate remains unchanged
Gwinnett commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#jun2310">left the 2010 millage rate unchanged from the previous year’s final rate</a></span> of 13.25 mills, which reflected a modest tax increase to restore core services such as public safety, despite the five-year millage rate history showing a $3.2 billion decline in the 2010 gross digest. -
Grant helps inmates transition to society after release
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#jul2010">received a Workforce Investment Act grant of almost $118,000</a></span> from the Atlanta Regional Commission that will allow inmates at the correctional facility to continue to get job training and help transitioning back to society. -
Artificial turn field cuts down on maintenance costs
The County <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#aug1610">installed an artificial turf field made from recycled tires</a></span> at Duncan Creek Park in northeast Gwinnett to <strong>save annual field maintenance costs</strong> and <strong>allow increased use</strong> for a variety of sports. -
Revised 2010 budget does not include more service cuts
Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#aug1710">approved a revised 2010 budget</a></span> that was based on declining property values that produced a $31 million revenue shortfall but did not result in additional service cuts. -
Energy audit results in annual savings
The County announced that an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#sep2910">energy audit initiative is expected to produce ongoing savings of over $500,000 for the year</a></span>. -
Citizens serve on budget review committee
<a target="" href="#oct510">Six Gwinnett residents agreed to serve on the Chairman’s budget review committee</a></span> to help set priorities and seek ways to prioritize spending in county government operations and capital improvement plans for fiscal year 2011. -
Gwinnett earns top credit ratings
Three major credit ratings agencies <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#nov1010">reaffirmed Gwinnett County’s overall credit rating as AAA with a stable outlook</a></span>, citing conservative financial management policies and practices as key factors. -
New trees reduce mowing, irrigation costs at park
Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation announced it will <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#nov1710">plant more than 1,900 new hardwood trees</a></span> on three acres at Graves Park to <strong>reduce mowing and irrigation costs</strong>. -
2011 budget proposal adds no new services
Gwinnett County <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#dec110">published a proposed fiscal year 2011 budget</a></span> that preserves core services but adds no new programs. -
Issued recovery zone facility bonds for economic development
Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="" href="#dec1410">approved the County’s Development Authority to issue $30 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds</a></span>, designed to fund certain private facilities in “recovery zone” areas to further economic development. -
Adopted 2011 budget (16 percent lower than previous year)
Commissioners <span style="text-decoration: underline;">adopted a 2011 budget that is 16 percent lower</span> than the previous year’s budget overall and charged staff with taking another hard look at operations with the goal of eliminating an $18 million deficit. -
Increased emergency medical transport fee
Gwinnett County <strong>added $1.5 million in revenue</strong> per year by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">raising emergency medical transport fee</span> from $750 to $975 per trip. -
Donations accepted from community partners
The County <span style="text-decoration: underline;">accepted donations from two organizations</span> to fund services, one that will help with transportation needs for seniors and persons with disabilities and another that brings an interactive learning exhibit to Gwinnett County. -
Minimum mandatory 90-day vacancy for all positions
Departments must <span style="text-decoration: underline;">leave all vacant positions open for a minimum 90 days</span>. -
Employee furloughs
Approximately <strong>$2.1 million</strong> will be saved in the general fund ($2.8 million overall) by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">counting four of the county’s eight remaining annual holidays as furlough days</span> and not paying employees for those days off. -
Voluntary departmental budget reductions
Multiple departments made <span style="text-decoration: underline;">voluntary budget reductions</span> totaling <strong>$847,000</strong> in general fund savings, $1.36 million in total. -
Reduce contributions to risk and fleet funds
Careful management of risk exposure and the elimination of about 250 vehicles will allow the County to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">reduce contributions to its Risk Management and Workers’ Compensation funds and Fleet/Equipment Capital Project Fund</span>. -
Intent to realign millage rate, reallocate revenue
Commissioners announced the intention to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">realign the 0.23 millage rate</span> associated with the 2002 general obligation bond by redirecting the tax levy to general operations. -
Creating partnerships, automating manual processes
County staff found <span style="text-decoration: underline;">two creative ways to encourage community partnerships and increase internal efficiencies</span>, leading to the commissioner’s acceptance of a donation from an athletic association and approval of a software purchase. -
Higher revenue estimates (fees, strong investment returns)
The County’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;">revenue estimate for 2011 was increased</span> by <strong>$1.66 million</strong> due to new judicial fees and stronger than expected returns on County investments. -
Temporary budget stabilization reserve established
Commissioners approved the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="#mar15b11">establishment of a temporary <em>budget stabilization reserve</em></a></span> funded by County revenues, which exceeded expenditures and planned use of fund balance by an estimated $9 million in 2010.