Officials reflect on 2012

jclark@sunmulti.com

Georgia’s most progressive county and its citizens took

strides to make sure it remains viable in the future during the 2012 year.

The residents of Houston County voted for the 2012 Special

Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which Commissioner Chairman Tommy Stalnaker

listed as the No. 1 accomplishment for the county.

If residents had not voted for the SPLOST, “we would have

serious problems meeting services … and requirements,” stated Stalnaker, who

listed encroachment, upgrades to the 911 center and industrial development as

examples of those services and requirements.

The SPLOST will “help make this county viable in the future,

both financially and structurally to meet the needs of citizens,” he said.

A balanced budget without having to raise the millage rate was

the second accomplishment on Stalnaker’s list.

Stalnaker stated there were no furloughs, layoffs or

deletions of positions, but there were also no new positions added.

 

Employees

received a cost of living adjustment, which was due to the savings on

healthcare according to Stalnaker.

 

“We aren’t loaded with money, but we can pay the bills,” he

said, before noting the net tax digest for 2012 increased by $33,971,008

compared to 2011’s tax digest.

Though the county saw leaps in ensuring a viable future, the

county is still facing a few challenges.

“We’ve got to have additional commercial and industrial

growth,” said Stalnaker. “We’ve got to bring in new jobs … it doesn’t mater if

it is 10 or 10,000.”

The recent purchase of approximately 877 acres of land known

as the AE Harris Tract, located behind the Perdue plant on Hwy. 247, can be

used for growth in both categories, Stalnaker said.

“I feel positive we will continue to have commercial and

industrial growth,” he stated.

Stalnaker also focused on Robins Air Force Base and its

future growth.

He said that the base needs to be able to attract new

missions and the community that surrounds the base plays a large role in

attracting those missions.

“We’ve got to work as a team on that,” he said. “It’s got to

be a collaborative effort.”

After citing the two main challenges that the county faces,

he concluded, “I don’t think we have any problems, but we have many

opportunities.”

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