County lays off 21 employees to save money

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County lays off 21 employees to save money

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Wednesday, October 5. 2011

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Dodge County’s declining financial situation has resulted in the county commissioners voting to lay off 21 employees effective Friday, September 30 and an additional employee. The supervisor over the county camp, volunteered to be laid off as of Friday, October 7, that will make a total of 22 employees being laid off. According to Dodge County Manager Kelly Bowen, 18 employees were from the road department, one janitor and one groundskeeper at the courthouse and one part time employee from the commissioner’s office was effective Friday, September 30, 2011. This lay off should save the county approximately $150,000.00 to $225,000.00, according to manager Bowen.

Other items cut were reducing the hours that the landfill is open from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday – Saturday to 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday for a potential savings of approximately $7,000.00; stop the cleaning of the annex building for a savings of $1,495.00; only do repair/maintenance of county buildings if it is an emergency to save approximately $1,800.00 and not to make a quarterly payment to Forward Dodge for a savings of $2,500.00.

Manager Bowen explained to the commissioners that the county spends between $700,000.00 and $800,000.00 per month. Manager Bowen provided commissioners with a list of potential revenues that the county should be receiving before the end of the year and a recommended list of ways to cut expenses.

For revenue, the county would be receiving income from the tax commissioner, clerk of superior court, probate judge, magistrate judge, district attorney’s office and sheriff’s office. The majority of that revenue would be from the tax commissioner’s office for payment of current and past due property taxes.

In money owed to the county from Wilcox 911, Oconee Drug Task Force, nutrition center, National Resource Conservation Service, development authority and the Department of Transportation Transit, manager Bowen told commissioners the total income should be around $276,000.00. In addition the county would be receiving their Local Option Sales Tax payments for October, November and December that should be between $85,000.00 and $100,000.00 per month.

Dodge County Manager Kelly Bowen, commission chairman Dan McCranie, commissioner Jr. Howell and commissioner Bryan Watkins met in a called meeting to discuss additional ways to cut the 2011 budget on Wednesday, September 26 because the county’s line of credit was exhausted. After a meeting closed to the public, the meeting was reopened and commissioner Jr. Howell made the motion to accept the county manager’s recommendations for all budget cuts. Commissioner Brian Watkins seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0. Commissioners Howell, Watkins and commission chairman Dan McCranie were the only three commissioners at the meeting. The chairman does not vote unless there is a tie vote.

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#1 Sarah Lanier on 10/05/11 at 09:22 PM [Reply]

Short term savings. Long term, that's 22 people and their families that won't be investing in the local economy, which will lower profits for local businesses and tax revenue for the area.

#2 Pinkie on 10/06/11 at 03:21 AM [Reply]

You know, the people running the county are just like the people on the school board. Tell you one thing and then when your back is turned, do the very thing they said they would NOT do. All of the 'created jobs' in the school system are still there, all the ones fired are miraculously back at work and the school system is still in dis-array. Sad to say, a politician is a politician, tell you one thing and do something entirely different.

No doubt it is the same thing with the county. Don't hire the person who has the best qualifications, just hire the family member or the best friend. No job opening? NO problem , follow the school board's example and 'create' one. Never mind that everything is over-budget, we MUST take care of our friends.

Eastman is going broke, just like Washington. Seems the lies they tell in Washington have trickled down to the county. But it's somebody else's fault.. always is. Take a page from Obama's playbook and blame it on everyone else except the boss.

#3 Barbee on 10/06/11 at 12:53 PM [Reply]

The number of days worked per week could have been cut and some of the people's jobs saved. And how about the higher ups taking a small pay cut. We must in these times of need think of our fellow man & woman. But I see greed everywhere I go and it makes me sick.

#4 Ang on 10/06/11 at 03:47 PM [Reply]

I for one am saddened that a majority of our county commissioners failed to appear at a meeting of such importance. It is certainly not hard to see why they didn't show, but it would appear to be a sad testament to their character. I don't know each commissioner's reason for not attending, and maybe a few of them had legitimate reasons for skipping this meeting. However I feel, as do many others, that this meeting was probably skipped because these commissioners knew that they had to deal with an issue that they would rather not deal with. They may have wanted to be able to say that they were not there, and had they been there, they would have NEVER approved such drastic measures. I am not attacking anyone personally, but I do feel that if you run for an office, then you should take the responsibility of that office seriously and show the people that elected you that you respect them and are working hard for them. What I glean from this dismal attendance is nothing more than politics. These commissioners may be worried more about being re-elected, than they are about doing the job, that they have essentially asked for, by seeking election to their position. I for one would think twice before I put anyone back in office that didn't bother to attend such a meeting without just cause and make their voices heard. I sincerely hope that these commissioners have unavoidable reason to explain their absences. Public service in essence means that when you hold a position of this type, that you are accountable to the citizens and taxpayers that you represent. How many people feel that their voices were heard in this matter?
I applaud Commissioner Watkins for being one of the youngest in this group, and yet the one who was willing to stand and make what was certainly one of the hardest decisions ever made by this man. I know Commissioner Watkins personally and I can speak with candor and confidence when I say that this man is an honest and trustworthy man. He and his fellow commissioner that appeared at this meeting along with the chairman and Ms.Bowen, are to be commended for taking the full blunt of the county's woes on their shoulders. I don't have to agree with a decision to be able to see that this was indeed difficult and most unwelcome. I must ask the citizens of Dodge County, where was your commissioner when these decisions were made? I think many of us would like to know the answer to that question.

#4.1 theanswer on 10/07/11 at 10:19 AM [Reply]

The district 4 seat is still vacant. District 2 commissioner Terry Niblett was still hospitalized after having a major surgery. This is why there were only 3 commissioners present.

#5 Anonymous on 10/07/11 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

There were 2 Commissioner's not present because; One is dead and an election is currently being held for that spot (Archie Dupree's vacancy), the other Commissioner Mr. Niblett at the time of the meeting was hospitalized in Macon for over a week following a major surgery. Please know the facts before commenting on something you have NO clue about.

As far as Watkins being honest and trustworthy that is VERY debatable but is your personal opinion which you have a right to express.

#6 D Voter on 10/08/11 at 09:16 AM [Reply]

They need to walk over to the sheriff's office and look at Jeff's spending.

#7 Anonymous on 10/09/11 at 11:14 PM [Reply]

It is a lot less than the previous sheriffs budget!

#8 Anonymous on 10/10/11 at 09:47 PM [Reply]

Maybe you need to talk about these Deputies protecting your life before you throw out what Jeff is spending. They get paid a whole lot less than anyone else and putting their lives in danger to protect you and your family. They are also short deputies so their lives are in more danger with not having as much back up as they need. Maybe you should thank a deputy before wanting the commissioners to cut the Sheriff's budget more than they ALREADY have this year!

#8.1 Just an observation on 10/11/11 at 09:02 AM [Reply]

May they could do more protecting if they didn't hang out propped up on the tree in front of the jail.

#8.2 Pinkie on 10/12/11 at 07:52 AM [Reply]

As far as them being 'short' deputies, maybe Jeff could start having a height requirement??

haha I saw you smile...:-)

#9 not a fan" on 10/11/11 at 04:42 PM [Reply]

Dodge co sheriff is as crooked as they come they should disband them all together and the feds take it over..everbody talks about hinson like he has done so much for dodge,,,yea his friends and family..i dont understand how u can be pulled over with no probable cause other than ur black..and the judges act like its okay,,i moved away from that place yrs ago and advise anyone not part of the good ole boy system to do the same.i revisted this yr and was taken back just how behind time eastman and cochran is ,its a shame ..the same few familys still runs the whole towns.oh ,the same judges same D'A'S ..lay them all off and lets start holdin court in the streets...

#9.1 Anonymous on 10/13/11 at 12:29 PM [Reply]

i totally agree with you, the color of your skin does make a difference reguardless of how people want to think,our sheriff office does not want to hire any blacks but due to the miniority law they have to, if they had their way the ones up there working now they would not be there and from my understanding, there are only two black females in eastman that are employed there, i do commend these two ladies for taking on a task as this, especially after hearing the word that this is a place where the color of their skin makes a difference when it comes to their employment, i just pray and hope that these ladies are being treated with dignity and respect because that jail is for the intent of white employees only, so good luck to these ladies

#9.1.1 kenmoresp on 10/13/11 at 02:18 PM [Reply]

blah...blah...blahhhhhh

Get over it already...jeez

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