Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - The elimination of emergency medical services and closing of the county prison are possibilities in Gwinnett’s financial crisis.

They were among 152 recommendations in the draft report of the Service-Value-Responsibility study, and could cut as much as $79 million in the county’s budget.

From the cutting of small programs such as the annual lighting of the Christmas tree and Fourth of July celebration and providing lights on Interstate 85 to cutting staff, furloughs and possibly implementing a four-day work week, those recommendations and the county’s finances in a time of tight revenues will be the main topics of discussion during a three-day county government retreat beginning today in Young Harris.

“Clearly everything is on the table,” Deputy County Administrator Mike Comer said of the draft. He said the issues will be taken up during several discussions over the coming weeks. “We have to make some hard decisions. I won’t speculate on what those decisions will turn out to be.”

The cost-cutting recommendations were formulated over the past three months by 70 employees working in nine teams, investigating county spending by functions, such as public safety efficiency, rates and fees, administrative departments review, back office functions such as human resources and purchasing and supplies and inventory.

The goal of the study was to find $35 million in savings in the county’s operating expenses, which was roughly the same amount of spending of the county reserve fund expected in 2008. In 2009, though, that could increase to $43 million, according to a proposed budget released earlier this week.

One measure, the cutting of more than 100 positions in the Planning and Development and Water Resources departments, was announced last month.

But more cuts could include the elimination of funding for the Gwinnett Public Library, community schools, Parternship Gwinnett, the hospital, revitalization efforts and more. Revenues could be found from increasing business license fees, ambulance transport fees and the cost to adopt a pet from the animal shelter. Officials could even consider selling advertisement space on county water towers.

The annual retreat, which was opened to judges and other elected officials this year, is expected to cost about $15,000.

County Administrator Jock Connell said the timing was unfortunate during a time of layoffs, but he said the retreat is more important than ever.

“We’re in a situation where the strategic direction of the county is critically important,” Connell said. “It’s important to get away and determine what the future of this county will be. …

“It does come at a terrible time, but we’ve got to go. We’ve got to continue to plan because tomorrow is going to come.”

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