Fannin County’s commissioners are faced with a huge task. They have to balance a budget containing expenses that are about $1.1 million more than projected revenue.
Although some numbers are still preliminary, there is no doubt they have a long way to go to close the gap.
The biggest challenges come in the sheriff’s office and fire department budgets. The sheriff and fire chief have both made their cases for substantial increases.
But there are some facts that speak for themselves.
Yes, the fire department needs many improvements, including paid, full-time firefighters. But simply throwing money at the problems and hiring some people is not the ultimate answer.
A drop in the ISO rating is a clear indication problems have worsened over time.
That means time and a plan, a very specific plan with specific goals and outcomes, will be required to fix the problems. Planning is the first step, not the last.
On the other hand, the problems faced by the sheriff’s office are already taking place and will only worsen in the future.
Good people are leaving more rural areas, such as Fannin County, and moving toward the metro Atlanta area where jobs pay more – much more. At the same time, criminals are making their way here. Fannin County must have the best law enforcement personnel, and plenty of them, to fight what is already here and what is coming.
And then there are the statistics. For example, during the week of October 6 through October 12, there were 514 emergency calls received by the Fannin County 911 Center. Of those, 406 were for law enforcement. Three were for the fire department. That’s according to figures from EMA/EMS Director Robert Graham in his weekly report.
Fannin County residents are much more likely to need a deputy sheriff. Commissioners need to make sure they get one. They should help the sheriff.