JEKYLL ISLAND — The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners started its annual retreat Friday with a financial overview, highlighting projections in spending based on growth. With unincorporated areas of Lowndes County developing faster than incorporated areas, financial consultant Harrison Tillman said the development could result in an increase of requested services.

“There will be more pressure in the coming years, because more of these unincorporated residents will want more services,” Tillman said.

During the past five years, unincorporated areas have made up more than 50 percent of the tax digest history annually. “In the unincorporated areas, you’re seeing more and more things being built up,” Tillman said. “Now counties are being called on to provide what used to be municipal services.”

Tillman urged commissioners to pay attention to that growth, which has been a national trend.



GROWTH

As a result of growth, expenditures to judicial

and public services have also required more attention. County Manager Joe Pritchard said there has been a significant increase in the amount spent on judicial services. For Fiscal Year 2005, about 11.25 percent of general fund expenditures is estimated to be allocated for judicial purposes.

During the past five years, expenditures for judicial services have increased from a little more than $2 million to almost $4 million.

“This is growing pains we’re seeing,” said Commission Chairman Rod Casey.

In addition, growth is resulting in more spending on public safety. For 2005, about 41 percent will be allocated for public safety. Based on a $100,000 home, a county tax bill of $283.52 for FY05 designates $119.08 to pay for public safety and $31.19 for judicial.

“We’ve got some positive growth, but we’ve got to keep up with the times,” Tillman said.

Stephanie Black, finance director, added that the indigent defense/public defender and the clerk of court make up the majority of the general fund for judicial. Black said there is an increase in the amounts paid to attorneys and creation of the public defender’s office. While Lowndes County will have to pay for the operations of the office, the county will receive reimbursements from Echols and Brooks counties for operations.



JUDICIAL COMPLEX

Architects are working on a new design for the Lowndes County Judicial Complex. The redesign comes after commissioners voted earlier this year to rebid on the facility that exceeded its budget as well as fix environmental concerns at the site.

The facility will be developed starting with the judicial wing, Pritchard said, with the administrative wing to be added later.

“We’re trying to be realistic and keep current with our numbers,” Pritchard said.

The judicial win is expected to cost about $16.8 million.

The site for the complex, near Valdosta’s City Annex, will also require well drillings prior to construction due to petroleum products discovered in the ground. Pritchard said he spoke with officials from RETEC about plans for removing the petroleum elements and it was recommended that the drillings occur on both sides of Ashley Street.

“We’ve got to have this rebundled and packaged to be able to bid (quickly),” Commissioner Richard Lee said.



BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Commissioners discussed new housing options for the Lowndes County Board of Elections. A larger building to accommodate operations is listed as a goal for fiscal years 2006 and 2007.

Lee said he would like to see the former Department of Labor building, off Oak Street, rented to house the Board of Elections until a new facility is constructed.

“That would be money well spent,” Lee said.

However, Pritchard said the inquiry was declined and the possibility of renting the former Heilig-Meyers building raised transportation concerns. Pritchard said Department of Transportation notified him of an encroachment problem at the front of the building, which is located across from the BOE.

“It’s not the most perfect location for where we’re growing in elections,” Casey said. “We want to do this right. We’ve got two years before the Board of Elections absolutely has to be out of there, but it doesn’t mean we have to wait that long.”

The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners will continue its retreat today to discuss the fire rescue, water and sewer services, public works and engineering, as well as goal developments.