The public outcry during the public hearings on the proposed millage increase in May and June led to the decision, at least for the time being, to defer a property tax increase. As a result, there have been – and will continue to be – many painful budget cuts as your county government struggles to balance the budgets for the years ahead. The most recent of these cuts now include a reduction in public library funding. Many residents who attended the hearings suggested cutting parks, recreation, and library services specifically. Those voices indeed were heard.

Obviously, operating expenses go up as we build new libraries, fire stations, parks, and other facilities that make our community safer and a more desirable place to live. In the past, new growth generated enough revenue to cover these rising costs, but in today's economic climate, with growth at a virtual standstill, the only way to balance the budget without raising taxes is to cut expenses. We simply have no other choice at this time.

It must be acknowledged that such cuts impact many Gwinnett residents and image as a prosperous, well-run county with an enviable quality-of-life. We will endeavor to build a new consensus around community investment that will allow Gwinnett to once again prosper rather than head towards decline. But in the meantime, we will all have to live with some service reductions until the economy starts moving again and/or a tax increase becomes viable.