FINANCIAL REPORT
- SPLOST AND LOST: SPLOST and LOST revenue shown in the report dated January 31, 2021 reflect collections reported for December 2020. For that period, SPLOST collections were $979,523.30 which is a $6,429.99 (0.66%) increase over the same period last year. LOST collections were $620,802.64 which is a $4,247.01 (0.69%) increase over the same period last year.
- REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE BUDGET REPORTS 1ST SIX MONTHS OF F/Y 2020 – 2021 (CASH BASIS): This report is attached for your consideration. It applies to the first six months of the fiscal year. The report shows current year revenue is down compared to last year despite the receipt of Covid Relief money. Revenue received through December 31, 2020 totaled $17,102,266.02 compared to $19,653,744.33 on December 31, 2019. Even including the receipt of $2,025,803 from Covid Relief funds, revenues collected for the first 6 months of the fiscal year are $2,551,478.31 less than same period last year.
I asked our Finance Department to update receipts to January 31, 2021 and revenues increased due to ad valorem tax receipts. The receipts through January 31 this year are $25,773,986.25 compared to $25,825,850.26 last year which shows we have received $51,864.01 less this year. However, if we take out the onetime Covid Relief receipt, revenue would be down $2,077,667.00. This is largely due to decreases in receipt of ad valorem taxes (down $1,693,146 this year to date); the interest rate on Georgia Fund One is down and receipts for fines and forfeitures are down. There is a bit of good news. Today (a new reporting period), the County received $1,873,470 in ad valorem tax revenue.
On the Expenditure side, Gordon County has spent $16,606,567 in the first 6 months compared to $17,063,577.52 in the previous fiscal year. (a difference of $457,010.30).
SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITY
- COVID-19: The Covid-19 task force met on January 26th.
- County-wide Public safety has 439 total personnel with four out of service due to COVID.
- The Hospital update (numbers as of January 26th) showed twenty seven COVID+ patients and no additional patients under investigation. Eight of the twenty three were in critical care and 7 were on ventilators.
- Historical and current Gordon County numbers show Gordon County had an increase of 534 cases and 4 deaths in the two weeks preceding January 26th.
- The Department of Public Health is currently vaccinating frontline emergency responders and people over age 65.
- JUDICIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: Steel is onsite and being assembled, Annex Demolition is well underway to get ready for major renovations. County personnel took a virtual tour of the Courthouses in Baldwin and Burke Counties. Those facilities were designed by our architects at Carter and Watkins. This tour helped us look at courtroom layouts, materials, and color schemes.
- EMERGENCY RADIO COVERAGE: County Representatives have moved to a new phase in the investigation of the emergency radio system by beginning to invite Calhoun, Fairmount and others to participate in the task force review and recommendation process. The County is also looking into a grant that should assist with costs to be incurred when upgrades are selected and improved.
- BROADBAND: The County continues to meet with a broadband provider to attempt to bring service to un-served areas of the county. The Governor’s proposed budget includes money for possible grants for broadband.
- ELECTIONS: Elections have been moved successfully to the new location at 408 Court Street.
- JUDICIARY: Congratulations to our District Attorney, Rosemary Greene, on her appointment by the Governor to the Superior Court to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge David Smith. Also, congratulations to Lori Moss on her appointment as Juvenile Court Judge to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Lane Bearden. Judge Moss was appointed by the sitting Superior Court Judges of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit.
- AIRPORT AUTHORITY: Several years ago, Calhoun and Gordon County each contributed $150,000 to engineering costs and other expenses at the airport in connection with new hangars and other improvements. I am happy to report that the Airport Authority paid us back last week with a check for $150,000.
