TO: Fulton County Employees
FROM: Zachary L. Williams, County Manager\
DATE: November 23, 2009
SUBJECT: 2010 Budget Update
I am writing to provide you with an update regarding the 2010 budget process.
On Thursday, November 19, 2009, the Board of Commissioners approved several measures for planning purposes to close the
anticipated FY2010 budget gap by an additional $43 million. Their actions will help minimize the impact to employees as
well as services for citizens.
We are no longer looking at a 25% cut across the board.
These measures, which were part of a scenario recommended by the Budget Commission, include the following:
- Temporarily reduce the fund balance from 8.33 to 5 percent ($18 million)
- Convert 10 paid holidays to unpaid ($8 million)
- Defer payment of Grady debit for one year, subject to agreement by the Grady Hospital Authority ($17 million)
The Board also approved a funding hierarchy for Fulton County programs and services, placing the highest priority on
services mandated by state and federal law or court orders, followed by services and programs stipulated through
contractual agreements, code of laws, Board resolutions, or Board priorities.
This is the first step in the process for reducing our budget. There are several remaining options that the Board will have
to consider in the very near future, but I am encouraged that we’ve taken some key initial steps in the right direction.
There is still more work to do. By law, the Board must adopt a tentative budget by December 31, 2009 and a final budget by
January 31, 2010. If you have not already, there is still time for you to submit your cost-saving ideas as we tackle this
challenge together. We are actively evaluating the many ideas you have already offered, and we will make recommendations to
the Budget Commission on those that can have the most impact.
On the back of this memorandum is space for you to submit your ideas for cost saving measure for the benefit of County
employees and our programs a services.
I look forward to hearing from you as we continue to work together toward solutions.
As always, thanks for all you do.
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