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On Tuesday, the Troup County Board of Commissioners approved the FY2024 budget after a second and final public hearing.

The total FY24 budget clocks in at $54,350,610, which comes in at $3,317,636 (6%) more than last year.

Chief Financial Officer Sonya Conroy said the budget includes a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for all employees, which will take effect in January.

Conroy said the biggest cost increases come from the Troup County Jail causing public safety expenses to spike by $2,045,325. She said inmate food and medical expenses have drastically increased, along with malpractice premiums.

The full budget is available for review on the county’s website at troupcountyga.gov.

The final determination of the millage rate will occur after a separate public hearing process. County Manager Eric Mosley said his staff plans to recommend a millage reduction of .637 mills due to the elimination of the sanitation tax.

The FY24 budget was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

In other business, the Board of Commissioners:

4 Approved the acceptance of Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) Grants in the amount of $181,249 for felony drug court and $159,069 for Family Treatment Court. The grants require a local match of $24,716 and $21,691 respectively.

4 Tabled a request to approve technology upgrades for Juvenile Court in order to seek a potential local bidder.

4 Approved the Troup County Fire Department to apply for a state grant that will provide funds for the department to host and teach a Basic EMT class.

4 Approved purchases of indoor and outdoor furniture for the Oakfuskee Center. The indoor furniture will come from Loy’s Office Supply at a cost of $72,265.78. The outdoor furniture will come from Harbor Classic out of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina for $70,470. Mosley said the funds for both purchases will come from a grant designated for West Point Lake projects.

4 Approved a contract with local vendor Dynamic Multimedia to provide audio & video equipment for the Oakfuskee Center at a cost not to exceed $83,644. Mosley said the contract will also be paid using grant funds.

4 Approved the updated Human Resources Employee Handbook Policy Manual. The handbook will be provided to all county employees electronically and print copies will be available for each department.

4 Approved the rezoning of a .278-acre portion of a 1.9-acre parcel at 738 Old Hutchinson Mill Rd. for Conway Electric. The property will be rezoned from single-family medium density to general commercial.

4 Denied a Special Use Application to operate a Short Term Rental at 1220 S Thompson Rd.

4 Approved a manufactured home placement for Ryan Gajda at 310 Harmon Rd.

4 Approved a manufactured home placement for Rodney Black at 199 Pine Circle.

4 Approved a manufactured home placement for Ashley Fanning on Pine Hill Rd.

4 Approved a Beer and Wine License Application for Dipakkumar Patel at 1806 Vernon Rd.