County Commissioner's Office

County Talk
By
Lamar Paris - Commissioner

Q.  Is the county in good financial condition?
A. The county bank balance on October 31, 2007, just as new tax bills were being sent out, was $ 5,510,916 and on December 31, 2007 our bank balance was $ 8,388,562. As anyone should be able to clearly see, we already have that much and a lot more.    Union County is in probably the best financial condition of any county in North Georgia with the lowest amount of debt and with one of the lowest property tax rates.

Anyone with a basic understanding of financial reports should be able to easily see the financial soundness of Union County finances.

Q. What is Union County doing to promote economic development?
A. The state has a Department of Economic Development that we all work with on a regular basis in an attempt to secure new industry.  We also work very closely with our other Economic Development partners including Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Joint Development Authority consisting of Towns, Fannin and Union County, of which I am the chairman.  We also know very well and look forward to working with the newest TVA Board member from Blairsville, Tom Gillelland, who was just confirmed to this position last month by President Bush and the Senate in Washington, DC.

For the first time in the history of Union County, the Development Authority now receives a significant budgeted amount from the county for their operation which I began  last year ($150,000).  Over the past several months, the Development Authority has been interviewing prospective candidates to replace the previous executive director, Tom Murphy, who retired in 2007 after doing a tremendous job for many years.  . The new director, Mitch Griggs, began work three months ago and is one of the most qualified directors in the State of Georgia and the economic development of Union County has never looked brighter, with the exception of the current housing slow down.  There are several companies that are looking for growth in Union County now and we are all very confident that over the next three years, we will see several new companies either relocate or expand here. 

Q.  What else have you done to foster economic development?
A.  First, Wal-Mart will be the largest private employer in the county.  Their impact will be tremendous.   While working with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation, I was able to secure several hundred thousand dollars in grant funds to pay for the new Airport Terminal Road that is being built across from Wal-Mart’s new entrance.    This will allow the Development Authority to have use of an additional 25 acres to develop for industrial sites and provide direct access to the new future Airport Terminal Area, both of which will provide huge economic development benefits to Union County. This was all done at a very minimal cost.

Q. Do you consider yourself a “tax and spend” Commissioner?
A. No. Over the past seven years that I have been commissioner, costs beyond my control have gone up nearly $8 million, while property taxes have only increased $ 4,000,000 with a significant portion of that increase coming from new growth in homes and subdivisions.  Here are some of the cost increases.

Required Budget increases from 2001 to 2008

*Jail construction shortfall from previous administration- $1,500,000
Ambulance Service $1,000,000
Health Insurance  $475,000
County Payroll Raises - $2,987,927
Judicial Budget with 2 new judges, additional staff, Dist Atty, Public Defenders office
$ 800,000
Public Safety (Fire, Sheriff, Jail) $3,000,000
E-911 Center $250,000
Health and Welfare - $250,000
Youth programs/Meeks Park $200,000
Utilities/Fuel Cost/Drug Task Force $150,000
Library $150,000
Animal Control $125,000
*Appx numbers

Q. How have you been able to keep property taxes so low with all the required increases?
A.  It requires constant monitoring and being wise with spending. Other counties often ask how we are able to do so much with such a low tax rate.  Our employees and elected officials do a great job of watching their budgets.  Every opportunity we have, we are trying to increase revenues from user fees so that the new cost of services are paid for by those who benefit most, and we are looking for ways to cut cost constantly.

Union County has a great quality of life and a sound and financially sound government operation.  If anyone tells you otherwise, they simply are wrong.

 Back to List Page