Gwinnett parks may face more budget cuts

As work continues on the 2012 Gwinnett County budget, Gwinnett parks may face the brunt of falling tax revenues.  Some of the shortfall may land in the laps of local youth athletic associations.  While I sympathize with families who would face additional time demands for sharing in park upkeep as well as increased fees, this is actually only fair.  Whether you use parks yourself, the community as a whole does benefit from the park system through improved quality of life and reduced crime.  These benefits go to support property values.  As such, it is entirely proper that we all share some of the costs of the park system through taxes.  However, those who actually use the parks should bear a greater share of the costs due to their direct benefit.  I have long felt that there should be some sort of permit that park uers should have to purchase to use the county parks.  The fee for such a pass would not necessarily be exorbitant but would shift more of responsibility for supporting the parks to those who benefit the most.  I say this as a county resident who uses my local park.  The possible shift of funding park maintenance to the sports associations would indirectly progress toward this goal, though many park users who do not participate in sports would continue to no more of the costs than taxpayers who never visit a park.

Artificial turf coming to Duncan Creek Park

The Gwinnett County Commission voted Tuesday to install artificial turf on a "multipurpose field" (here in the South, that would be a football field that "lesser sports" are allowed to use outside of football season! ;) ) and warm up area at Duncan Creek Park in Dacula.  The board cited long-term cost savings from reduced field maintenance as well as year-round field availability as justification for the project.  While I am critical of the board for their all-too-frequent missteps, I want to lend support when they do the right thing, and saving taxpayer dollars is the right thing.  Granted, I hate to see a football field marred with "permanent striping for...soccer...[and]...corners for lacrosse," but that is a small price to pay given the upside.  Well done, commissioners!

Commission approves more than $200 million in budget cuts

The Gwinnett County Commission voted last week to approve over $225 million in budget cuts.  As I wrote earlier last week, some residents were unhappy with some of the cuts, especially those targeting the budgets for the police and fire departments.  While automatically opposing budget cuts for public safety is understandable, the key here is at what are these cuts targeted?

First, let's be absolutely clear: deeps cuts were in order. Cuts are more palatable than a tax increase. Where I take issue is where these cuts were targeted.  Prior to the meeting, there was speculation that the Gwinnett "Quality of Life" unit could be on the chopping block.  Given this unit's focus of fighting property rights more so than real crime, I was completely in favor of such a cut.  However, rather than ax the Quality of Life unit, the board opted to cut the DUI task force.  I do not understand this move! One fights property rights - the other fights criminals that could kill you on our highways! The Quality of Life unit should have be at the top of the cuts for the police department.  Of course, I am hardly surprised that retaining funding for the Quality of Life unit was proposed by Mike Beaudreau whose commission track record is hardly one of championing property rights.

Regarding police department funding in general, when I stop seeing police officers parked along the road running radar/laser equipment to catch speeders as opposed to fighting real crime, I might get a little more upset about budget cuts for the department. In the last couple of weeks, I have seen three cops parked along Ronald Reagan Parkway doing speed enforcement. I see others near the Park Place Bridge on US 78. Coupling this with funding Quality of Life to go out worrying about how how far nails protrude and other victimless crimes, I cannot get too upset at at the cuts. When all police department funds are used to fight real, serious crime and not harass property owners or man radar guns, I will get upset at the cuts.

I would like to note, however, that, as critical as I often am of Comissioner Beaudreau, I do find myself in total agreement with one of his proposals.  Beaudreau offered an excellent idea to charge non-county residents for using Gwinnett County parks.  In fact, as a daily user of my local park, I would support a user fee for all those who actually use the parks, whether resident or not. The community does benefit from the parks so a county-funded system is appropriate. However, because those of us who actually go to the park and use the amenities benefit more, we should pay more than someone who does not. A user fee could be a nominal amount, perhaps $25 per year, just to ensure that the cost burden of these facilities is born more by those who use the system. A user fee would also capture direct contribution from those who use the facilities but are not property owners and, as such, do pay not the property taxes that fund the bulk of county government.

One other suggestion for revenue that I have not seen discussed is ads on Gwinentt transit buses.  (I read this suggestion from a Buzz reader, I believe, but I cannot find the reference.  I apologize that I cannot properly credit you for bringing this idea to my attention.)  When the county is in need of every drop of revenue it can get, why has the transit system not exploring selling ads?  MARTA does this, why not Gwinnett?  I do not know how much money this would raise, but whatever it raises would be some decrease in the severity of the county budget cuts.

The fiscal situation that Gwinnett County faces is very serious.  No one said any of the paths that could be taken through the woods would be easy, but I must commend the commissioners for choosing the right path - reigning in the size and cost of government as opposed to siphoning even more dollars out of our pockets.  I would much rather be bickering over what to cut than a tax increase.

Empty fire stations but plenty of illegal aliens

The Gwinnett County budget crunch continues to be felt in real and visible ways.  Last week, we learned that the Gwinnett County Public Library would implement to reduced hours.  This week we learn that three fire stations and a library currently under construction will likely sit idle when completed.

Three fire stations and a state-of-the-art library — representing altogether more than $21 million in construction costs — are expected to be completed this year. And the county has no money to staff them.

Furthermore, Gwinnett County parks cannot even afford to clean restrooms on the weekends anymore!  If this were not enough, the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department may have to delay Gwinnett's participation in the 287(g) that will identify and remove illegal aliens from the Gwinnett County jail.  Why?  Because the county does have the funds to staff either the program or seven empty units in the jail needed to keep inmates from sleeping on the floor, a requirement for participation in the program.

However, dear Buzz reader, if this budget crunch concerns you, then you can take solace by spending a night at our very own government-funded minor-league baseball stadium.  Every night you pass Gwinnett Taxpayers' Stadium when the Government-funded Gwinnett Braves are playing at home, you should be reminded of what an absolute monument of taxpayer abuse and bumbling government leadership that stadium is.  Lillian Webb must be breathing a sigh of relief that this current bunch of commissioners has surpassed her era as the worst elected officials in the history of Gwinnett County.  I bet the stadium is fully staffed and gets its toilets cleaned every day it is used!

Take heart, though!  We are only about a year away from the Republican primaries for Bert Nasuti's and Kevin Kenerly's commission seats, meaning we are only about a year away from beginning to purge our commission of the minor-league leadership that thought a minor-league baseball team was an appropriate use of your hard-earned tax dollars.  Don't forget the horrendous state in which we find Gwinnett County's finances over the next year.  Turn that frustration into determination to elect true conservatives who will show more respect for the citizens of this county!

Park land bought in west Lawrenceville

Gwinnett County has purchased with SPLOST funds land near the Yellow River west of Lawrenceville for a future park.  For all the things that the Gwinnett County Commission does to merit criticism, SPLOST continues to be a visible, worthwhile use of our tax money.

BoC adopts interim budget

Though I was very critical of Gwinnett County commissioners attending an out-of-town retreat to discuss budget cuts, I must commend them on their strong leadership in adopting an interim budget this week.  From initial estimates of a $43 million shortfall, commissioners whittled that amount to just $12.2 million.  The most impressive aspect was that the budget includes "$26.2 million in additional spending reductions."

Wow.

Actually cutting spending when revenues fall.  What a novel concept.  Politicians far and wide could learn from the Gwinnett County Commission.  Unfortunately, these cuts eliminated 29 planned police positions, funding for the Gwinnett Glows Independence Day fireworks show and the parks department's Movies Under the Stars.  The cuts also cost 93 county jobs including 30 planning workers who were laid off Friday.

The county intends to have a final budget completed in March.  By delaying for two months, the board hopes to "have a better picture of the economic landscape from which to work."

Gwinnett cops live in and protect parks

The Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Department has a residential police program in certain parks aross the county.  In exchange for keeping watch and providing security in a park, a Gwinnett County police officer lives in a county-owned facility on park property.  Six parks are part of this program with a seventh coming in the spring.  This is an excellent idea that saves taxpayer dollars while enhancing security in Gwinnett parks.  We need more innovative thinking like this from the county government and less of the thinking that gave us socialized garbage.

The Buzz endorses Gwinnett SPLOST

When you go to the polls on November 4 (or earlier if you decide to take advantage of early voting), there will be a ballot question seeking approval of an extension of the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) for Gwinnett County.  Now you may find it odd that after constantly opposing taxation I would endorse a tax program.  There are several reasons this tax should be renewed by Gwinnett voters:

1.  The SPLOST more evenly spreads out the tax burden for Gwinnett County capital investments.  As a sales tax, the funding source does not rest solely on the backs of homeowners.  All Gwinnett residents who spend money in the county contribute to the costs of Gwinnett infrastructure.  This includes those who are do not directly pay property taxes by virtue of living in apartments or rental housing.  Also, non-Gwinnett residents who visit shopping districts within the county pay the tax.

2.  The tax goes to fund capital investment projects and cannot be used for operational expenses.  Over half of the tax proceeds will go to pay for roads and bridges as well as recreational facilities.  Public safety and libraries will receive approximately 10% of the funds.  Gwinnett cities will receive around 15% of the SPLOST for similar projects on the municipal level.

3.  Taxpayers can see how their money is used and, generally, it is used effectively.  Just last week, Gwinnett parks were named the best in the nation.  I noted several years ago the high quality of Gwinnett's transportation infrastructure.  As you travel through Gwinnett, you can see for yourself new parks being constructed and expanded as well roads such as the Sugarloaf Parkway extension being built.  You can find more information on how Gwinnett County has used SPLOST proceeds in the past here.

SPLOST is an example of how government taxation should work.  The tax requires everyone in a community to contribute to funding county infrastructure.  The proceeds are only used for projects that fall within the legitimate responsibilities of government.  The results of the program are clearly visible and available to all who call Gwinnett home.  The Gwinnett Buzz, therefore, is pleased to continue to support this worthy tax and encourages you to do likewise.

Gwinnett parks best in the nation

Gwinnett parks are the best in the nation!  Congratulations to the parks department.  Gwinnett's parks are well-maintained and offer a variety of recreation amenities. They add a lot to our communities!

Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation was recognized this week as the number one park agency in the nation by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). The agency was presented the Grand Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

With finances tightening why is Gwinnett spending millions on a stadium?

Earlier this week, I summarized the cost overruns for the new Gwinnett Braves baseball stadium that were funded by the Gwinnett County Commission.  Against that backdrop, I would now like to explore the financial wisdom behind this move.  I will set aside for the moment the non-financial question of whether government should be paying in the first place for a place of business - which, after all, is what a stadium is to a baseball team - for a private organization.  The reality is that we are in a financial strain in Gwinnett.  So why are our commissioners cavalierly throwing around millions of our dollars?

Several factors are contributing to the revenue pinch that Gwinnett is feeling right now.  On factor is the effect of slowing population growth on revenue generation.  While many would applaud this slowdown, unless the cost of government similarly slows, the gap between costs and revenue will have an impact on the county budget.  In response, several cost-savings measures have been implemented by the county:

Last week, the county announced a hiring freeze meant to put a dent in rising costs that will sap $20 million from the county’s budget this year. The tax commissioner’s office recently cut the work week to four days to save on energy costs, and police and fire employees have been asked to take measures to save on fuel costs.

Let's consider this scenario.  If you are having to cut back on your living expenses - eliminating those premium cable channels or eating out less each week - because your household income has taken a hit, is that the time to go out and buy a new car that you don't really need?  What if you pay for that car by drawing money from your rainy day fund, a fund that you have already been tapping in recent years to make ends meet?  Consider now that you are buying the car for a friend of the family.  This friend has the money to buy the car himself, but you are going to buy it and let him have primary use of the vehicle.  Also consider that, rather than getting a nice, serviceable Chevrolet or Buick, you and your friend decide that you are going to get a fine Cadillac.  After all, if you are going to buy the car, you might as well do it right.  Would you consider this wise management of your money?  Well, this is basically what the Gwinnett County Commission is doing with the Gwinnett Braves stadium.  Yes, it is an oversimplification and it does not adequately capture the expectation that the stadium will generate additional revenues from various sources for Gwinnett County, but I think this is a pretty fair representation of the situation.

This reckless use of our money is further compounded by the fact that the County denied quite a few law enforcement funding requests during the 2008 budget process.  I understand how budgeting processes work and I understand that departments ask for more than they expect to get so that their basic needs are met.  However, funding only a quarter of requested county positions seems too thin to account for normal budget inflation.  Some of the key positions denied include:

• Two victim assistance positions


• One prosecutor for Juvenile Court


• Two assistant district attorneys for the drug task force


• One criminal investigator for white-collar and computer crime


• Three additional investigators


• 20 Sheriff's deputies and staff for criminal warrants


• 18 Sheriff department positions for jail operations

I do not know the total cost in compensation, benefits, training and other expenses that these positions would entail, but I think it is probably less than the $19 million that the commission just spent on upgraded leather, wheels, and navigation system for the their new stadium.  This failure to fund law enforcement positions is especially galling with today's news of the impact on crime by illegal immigrants.

While Gwinnett County government does not have as poor a record of wasting taxpayer dollars as some other government entities, the Gwinnett Braves stadium shows absolute disrespect by our elected officials for the taxpayers of Gwinnett.  Bert Nasuti and Kevin Kenerly were quite smug in their comments defending this move.  County Administrator Jock Connell exhibited a similar tone in saying the reserve allows the County to pursue "opportunities," noting, "We knew a time was coming when we would use these funds."  What about opportunities that Gwinnett taxpayers would like to pursue with their funds?

$31 million of our money is being given to the Atlanta Braves organization, a business that can afford to pay four of its employees $14 million or more apiece in just 2008 alone.  This amount by itself could pay for the entire "enhanced" Gwinnett Braves facility!  The $31 million represents a transfer of $150 from each Gwinnett household to a business that pays multi-million dollar employees to play a game that you have to pay for your kids to play at a local park.  (Note:  This value uses the 2000 census count of households in Gwinnett County.)  I do not subscribe the wealth envy/class warfare politics so often used by Democrats.  Pro sports is a free market business and the Braves can spend whatever the market will bear on their players.  However, forceibly taking money from families that cannot even dream of making millions per year and giving it to a private business with such an enormous payroll is irresponsible on the part of elected officials.  To do so in a time when crime is a significant issue and those officials cannot even fully fund law enforcement budget requests is a dereliction of their duty to county residents.