(Lawrenceville, Ga., Oct. 6, 2009) - Gwinnett County Commissioner Kevin Kenerly today called on county staff to find out how much money it would take to restore the public safety and community services that were eliminated from the budget this year. "It has become crystal clear to me in recent weeks that we are cutting badly-needed programs - services our residents rely on - and that those cuts are hurting families," said Kenerly.

The commissioner cited several examples of increased fees and inconveniences that he calls "nothing more than a hidden tax increase." Examples include youth athletic associations collecting higher fees from participants so those groups can pay to light ballfields during night games or property owners facing higher insurance premiums because new fire stations that have been built to fill coverage gaps in their neighborhood are not opening.

Even before a proposed property tax increase was defeated in June, Gwinnett County officials recognized the need to cut expenses dramatically as a way to manage a large gap between declining revenues and rising operating costs. The same thing was happening to local governments across America. That's why, prior to adopting the 2009 budget, commissioners and County staff launched an intensive study to find ways to cut the cost of County government by $40 million without eliminating vital services.

There are many reasons for the decline in revenues. The poor economy is one reason, but it's not the primary cause. For the last two decades, Gwinnett County has been able to fund rising operating costs through growth in commercial and residential property, but that growth has naturally slowed. During much of that period, commissioners were able to roll back or hold the line on property taxes.

Kenerly said, "The Board of Commissioners has been the subject of a lot of criticism for not doing what we were elected to do, and frankly, I think we deserve some of it. When we proposed a millage rate increase last May, we heard from a group of residents who loudly protested the increase. And then we started cutting services - and we heard from residents who objected to the reductions.

"I believe nearly everyone would agree that our community has enjoyed a quality of life that is the envy of metro Atlanta, the state and the region. Gwinnett County has the finest staff around - people who pride themselves on providing superior services to the residents of this county. And so it hurt to have to make these cuts, which I strongly believe that these cuts are damaging our community."

Kenerly says he fully supports Engage Gwinnett, a citizen-led initiative spending the next six months studying county government and making recommendations to help the Board set service-level and funding priorities for the next five years. "However, we as a Board must do something now to keep our community from decaying. Bold action is needed to keep Gwinnett County a preferred place to live, work, and raise a family," said Kenerly.

The commissioner asked staff to report back in a week with the cost and associated millage rate necessary to restore the services and support operations that have been cut in libraries, parks, police, fire, sheriff, and courts - and to keep the Correctional facility open.

"I know this won't be popular in some circles, but it's the right thing to do for our community. And that's what I was elected to do," said Kenerly.